Method of using reinforced flexible circuits with multiple sensors to optimize performance of radio frequency devices

ABSTRACT

A method implemented by a surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes first and second jaws and a flexible circuit including multiple sensors to optimize performance of a radio frequency (RF) device. The flexible circuit includes at least one therapeutic electrode couplable to a source of RF energy, at least two sensing electrodes, and at least one insulative layer. The insulative layer is positioned between the at least one therapeutic electrode and the at least two sensing electrodes. The method includes contacting tissue positioned between the first and second jaws of the surgical instrument with the at least one therapeutic electrode and at the least two sensing electrodes; sensing signals from the at least two sensing electrodes; and controlling RF energy delivered to the at least one therapeutic electrode based on the sensed signals.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/773,778, titled METHOD FOR ADAPTIVE CONTROL SCHEMES FOR SURGICAL NETWORK CONTROL AND INTERACTION, filed Nov. 30, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/773,728, titled METHOD FOR SITUATIONAL AWARENESS FOR SURGICAL NETWORK OR SURGICAL NETWORK CONNECTED DEVICE CAPABLE OF ADJUSTING FUNCTION BASED ON A SENSED SITUATION OR USAGE, filed Nov. 30, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/773,741, titled METHOD FOR FACILITY DATA COLLECTION AND INTERPRETATION, filed Nov. 30, 2018, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/773,742, titled METHOD FOR CIRCULAR STAPLER CONTROL ALGORITHM ADJUSTMENT BASED ON SITUATIONAL AWARENESS, filed Nov. 30, 2018, the disclosure of each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/750,529, titled METHOD FOR OPERATING A POWERED ARTICULATING MULTI-CLIP APPLIER, filed Oct. 25, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/750,539, titled SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER, filed Oct. 25, 2018, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/750,555, titled SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER, filed Oct. 25, 2018, the disclosure of each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The present application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/729,183, titled CONTROL FOR A SURGICAL NETWORK OR SURGICAL NETWORK CONNECTED DEVICE THAT ADJUSTS ITS FUNCTION BASED ON A SENSED SITUATION OR USAGE, filed Sep. 10, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/729,177, titled AUTOMATED DATA SCALING, ALIGNMENT, AND ORGANIZING BASED ON PREDEFINED PARAMETERS WITHIN A SURGICAL NETWORK BEFORE TRANSMISSION, filed Sep. 10, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/729,176, titled INDIRECT COMMAND AND CONTROL OF A FIRST OPERATING ROOM SYSTEM THROUGH THE USE OF A SECOND OPERATING ROOM SYSTEM WITHIN A STERILE FIELD WHERE THE SECOND OPERATING ROOM SYSTEM HAS PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OPERATING MODES, filed Sep. 10, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/729,185, titled POWERED STAPLING DEVICE THAT IS CAPABLE OF ADJUSTING FORCE, ADVANCEMENT SPEED, AND OVERALL STROKE OF CUTTING MEMBER OF THE DEVICE BASED ON SENSED PARAMETER OF FIRING OR CLAMPING, filed Sep. 10, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/729,184, titled POWERED SURGICAL TOOL WITH A PREDEFINED ADJUSTABLE CONTROL ALGORITHM FOR CONTROLLING AT LEAST ONE END EFFECTOR PARAMETER AND A MEANS FOR LIMITING THE ADJUSTMENT, filed Sep. 10, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/729,182, titled SENSING THE PATIENT POSITION AND CONTACT UTILIZING THE MONO-POLAR RETURN PAD ELECTRODE TO PROVIDE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS TO THE HUB, filed Sep. 10, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/729,191, titled SURGICAL NETWORK RECOMMENDATIONS FROM REAL TIME ANALYSIS OF PROCEDURE VARIABLES AGAINST A BASELINE HIGHLIGHTING DIFFERENCES FROM THE OPTIMAL SOLUTION, filed Sep. 10, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/729,195, tided ULTRASONIC ENERGY DEVICE WHICH VARIES PRESSURE APPLIED BY CLAMP ARM TO PROVIDE THRESHOLD CONTROL PRESSURE AT A CUT PROGRESSION LOCATION, filed Sep. 10, 2018, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/729,186, titled WIRELESS PAIRING OF A SURGICAL DEVICE WITH ANOTHER DEVICE WITHIN A STERILE SURGICAL FIELD BASED ON THE USAGE AND SITUATIONAL AWARENESS OF DEVICES, filed Sep. 10, 2018, the disclosure of each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The present application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/721,995, tided CONTROLLING AN ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ACCORDING TO TISSUE LOCATION, filed Aug. 23, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/721,998, titled SITUATIONAL AWARENESS OF ELECTROSURGICAL SYSTEMS, filed Aug. 23, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/721,999, titled INTERRUPTION OF ENERGY DUE TO INADVERTENT CAPACITIVE COUPLING, filed Aug. 23, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/721,994, titled BIPOLAR COMBINATION DEVICE THAT AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTS PRESSURE BASED ON ENERGY MODALITY, filed Aug. 23, 2018, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/721,996, titled RADIO FREQUENCY ENERGY DEVICE FOR DELIVERING COMBINED ELECTRICAL SIGNALS, filed Aug. 23, 2018, the disclosure of each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The present application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/692,747, titled SMART ACTIVATION OF AN ENERGY DEVICE BY ANOTHER DEVICE, filed on Jun. 30, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/692,748, titled SMART ENERGY ARCHITECTURE, filed on Jun. 30, 2018, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/692,768, titled SMART ENERGY DEVICES, filed on Jun. 30, 2018, the disclosure of each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The present application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/691,228, tided METHOD OF USING REINFORCED FLEX CIRCUITS WITH MULTIPLE SENSORS WITH ELECTROSURGICAL DEVICES, filed Jun. 28, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/691,227, tided CONTROLLING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ACCORDING TO SENSED CLOSURE PARAMETERS, filed Jun. 28, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/691,230, tided SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING A FLEXIBLE ELECTRODE, filed Jun. 28, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/691,219, tided SURGICAL EVACUATION SENSING AND MOTOR CONTROL, filed Jun. 28, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/691,257, tided COMMUNICATION OF SMOKE EVACUATION SYSTEM PARAMETERS TO HUB OR CLOUD IN SMOKE EVACUATION MODULE FOR INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM, filed Jun. 28, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/691,262, tided SURGICAL EVACUATION SYSTEM WITH A COMMUNICATION CIRCUIT FOR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A FILTER AND A SMOKE EVACUATION DEVICE, filed Jun. 28, 2018, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/691,251, titled DUAL IN-SERIES LARGE AND SMALL DROPLET FILTERS, filed Jun. 28, 2018, the disclosure of each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/665,129, tided SURGICAL SUTURING SYSTEMS, filed May 1, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/665,139, tided SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING CONTROL SYSTEMS, filed May 1, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/665,177, titled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING HANDLE ARRANGEMENTS, filed May 1, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/665,128, titled MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, filed May 1, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/665,192, titled SURGICAL DISSECTORS, filed May 1, 2018, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/665,134, titled SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER, filed May 1, 2018, the disclosure of each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The present application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/659,900, titled METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION, filed on Apr. 19, 2018, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The present application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/650,898, filed on Mar. 30, 2018, titled CAPACITIVE COUPLED RETURN PATH PAD WITH SEPARABLE ARRAY ELEMENTS, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/650,887, titled SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH OPTIMIZED SENSING CAPABILITIES, filed Mar. 30, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/650,882, titled SMOKE EVACUATION MODULE FOR INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM, filed Mar. 30, 2018, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/650,877, titled SURGICAL SMOKE EVACUATION SENSING AND CONTROLS, filed Mar. 30, 2018, the disclosure of each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

This application also claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,302, titled INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH ENCRYPTED COMMUNICATION CAPABILITIES, filed Mar. 28, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,294, titled DATA STRIPPING METHOD TO INTERROGATE PATIENT RECORDS AND CREATE ANONYMIZED RECORD, filed Mar. 28, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,300, titled SURGICAL HUB SITUATIONAL AWARENESS, filed Mar. 28, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,309, titled SURGICAL HUB SPATIAL AWARENESS TO DETERMINE DEVICES IN OPERATING THEATER, filed Mar. 28, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,310, titled COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS, filed Mar. 28, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,291, titled USE OF LASER LIGHT AND RED-GREEN-BLUE COLORATION TO DETERMINE PROPERTIES OF BACK SCATTERED LIGHT, filed Mar. 28, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,296, titled ADAPTIVE CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR SURGICAL DEVICES, filed Mar. 28, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,333, titled CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR CUSTOMIZATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO A USER, filed Mar. 28, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,327, titled CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR SECURITY AND AUTHENTICATION TRENDS AND REACTIVE MEASURES, filed Mar. 28, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,315, titled DATA HANDLING AND PRIORITIZATION IN A CLOUD ANALYTICS NETWORK, filed Mar. 28, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,313, titled CLOUD INTERFACE FOR COUPLED SURGICAL DEVICES, filed Mar. 28, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,320, titled DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS, filed Mar. 28, 2018, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,307, titled AUTOMATIC TOOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS, filed Mar. 28, 2018, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,323, titled SENSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS, filed Mar. 28, 2018, the disclosure of each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

This application also claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/611,341, titled INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM, filed Dec. 28, 2017, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/611,340, titled CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS, filed Dec. 28, 2017, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/611,339, titled ROBOT ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORM, filed Dec. 28, 2017, the disclosure of each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

This application discloses an invention that is related, generally and in various aspects, to surgical systems, surgical instruments, and flexible circuits.

Surgical instruments include components that are required to move in various directions and/or are subjected to different forces. For example, shafts rotate, articulate, and experience different tensions; jaws pivot open and closed and experience unwanted flexing or deformation; and cutting members move axially in distal and proximal directions and experience different resistive forces.

Surgical instruments may also include additional components such as electrodes, sensing devices, processing circuits, motors, and wiring and/or wiring traces, some of which can be located within various portions of a surgical instrument. For example, a sensing device and/or a processing circuit can be located within an end effector of the surgical instrument, within a shaft assembly of the surgical instrument and/or within a handle assembly of the surgical instrument. Such additional components can form electrical circuits of the surgical instrument, and portions of such electrical circuits can also be required to move in various directions and/or be subjected to different forces.

In many instances, the jaw electrodes of various surgical instruments are rigid, are utilized as therapeutic electrodes that apply electrosurgical energy to tissue positioned between the jaws, collectively take up close to an entire width of the jaws, and can experience flexing or deformation as the jaws open and close. For surgical instruments that include a knife that traverses a slot defined by the jaws, a first electrode can be positioned to a first side (e.g., a right hand side) of the slot and a second electrode can be positioned to a second side (e.g., a left hand side) of the slot.

Due to their rigid nature, the unwanted flexing or deformation of the electrodes can lead to premature failure. Also, by collectively taking up close to an entire width of the jaws, the electrodes have a relatively large surface area that is in contact with tissue positioned between the jaws. When the electrodes deliver radio-frequency (RF) energy to the tissue, the large surface area of the electrodes can contribute to unwanted tissue sticking. Additionally, the large surface area of the electrodes leaves little room for sensing and/or measurement devices to have contact with tissue positioned between the jaws.

With traditional electrical circuits in surgical instruments, portions of the electrical circuits which are required to move in various directions and/or be subjected to different forces tend to pull out or separate from their connection to the surgical instrument and/or fail at a rate which is higher than desired.

SUMMARY

In one aspect the present disclosure provides a method implemented by a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument comprising first and second jaws and a flexible circuit comprising multiple sensors to optimize performance of a radio frequency (RF) device. The flexible circuit comprising at least one therapeutic electrode couplable to a source of RF energy, at least two sensing electrodes, and at least one insulative layer. The insulative layer is positioned between the at least one therapeutic electrode and the at least two sensing electrodes. The method comprising: contacting tissue positioned between the first and second jaws of the surgical instrument with the at least one therapeutic electrode and at the least two sensing electrodes; sensing signals from the at the least two sensing electrodes; and controlling RF energy delivered to the at least one therapeutic electrode based on the sensed signals.

In another aspect the present disclosure provides a method implemented by a surgical instrument comprising an end effector, a marking assembly, and a control circuit. The end effector comprising a first jaw, a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw to grasp tissue therebetween, a plurality of sensors, and a tissue-treatment mechanism configured to apply a tissue treatment to tissue grasped between the first jaw and the second jaw. Tthe method comprising: receiving, by the control circuit, a plurality of sensor signals from the plurality of sensors indicative of application of a tissue treatment to the tissue; controlling, by the control circuit, radiofrequency (RF) energy to the end effector to treat the tissue; applying, by the marking assembly, a distinct marking to the tissue unique to the tissue treatment application, wherein the distinct marking distinguishes the tissue treatment application from other tissue treatment applications.

In another aspect the present disclosure provides a method implemented by a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument comprising a control circuit, a multi-level flexible electrode. The multi-level flexible electrode comprises first, second, and third insulative layers. The multi-level flexible electrode further comprises at least one therapeutic electrode and at least two sensing electrodes. The therapeutic electrode is positioned between the first and second insulative layers. The therapeutic electrode is couplable to a source of radiofrequency (RF) energy. The sensing electrode is positioned between the second and third insulative layers. The method comprising: contacting tissue by the at least one therapeutic electrode and the at least two sensing electrodes; delivering RF energy to the contacted tissue by the at least one therapeutic electrode; sensing, by the at least two sensing electrodes, a parameter associated with tissue positioned between first and second jaws of the surgical instrument; and controlling, by the control circuit, RF energy delivered to the at least one therapeutic electrode based on the sensed parameter.

FIGURES

The features of various aspects are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The various aspects, however, both as to organization and methods of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer-implemented interactive surgical system, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a surgical system being used to perform a surgical procedure in an operating room, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a surgical hub paired with a visualization system, a robotic system, and an intelligent instrument, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a surgical hub enclosure and of a combo generator module slidably receivable in a drawer of the surgical hub enclosure, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a combo generator module with bipolar, ultrasonic, and monopolar contacts and a smoke evacuation component, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates individual power bus attachments for a plurality of lateral docking ports of a lateral modular housing configured to receive a plurality of modules, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a vertical modular housing configured to receive a plurality of modules, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a surgical data network comprising a modular communication hub configured to connect modular devices located in one or more operating theaters of a healthcare facility, or any room in a healthcare facility specially equipped for surgical operations, to the cloud, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a computer-implemented interactive surgical system, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates a surgical hub comprising a plurality of modules coupled to the modular control tower, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates one aspect of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) network hub device, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates a logic diagram of a control system of a surgical instrument or tool, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 illustrates a control circuit configured to control aspects of the surgical instrument or tool, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 illustrates a combinational logic circuit configured to control aspects of the surgical instrument or tool, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 illustrates a sequential logic circuit configured to control aspects of the surgical instrument or tool, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 illustrates a surgical instrument or tool comprising a plurality of motors that can be activated to perform various functions, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a robotic surgical instrument configured to operate a surgical tool described herein, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 illustrates a block diagram of a surgical instrument programmed to control the distal translation of a displacement member, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a surgical instrument configured to control various functions, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 is a simplified block diagram of a generator configured to provide inductorless tuning, among other benefits, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 illustrates an example of a generator, which is one form of the generator of FIG. 20, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 illustrates a surgical instrument, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 illustrates a shaft assembly of the surgical instrument of FIG. 22, in accordance with at least one other aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 illustrates a flexible circuit of the surgical instrument of FIG. 22, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 25 illustrates a channel retainer of the surgical instrument of FIG. 22, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 26 illustrates a cross-section of the flexible circuit along the line A-A of FIG. 24, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 27 illustrates a cross-section of the flexible circuit along the line B-B of FIG. 24, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 28 illustrates an exploded view of a flexible electrode of the surgical instrument of FIG. 22, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 29 and 30 illustrate top views of a flexible electrode of the surgical instrument of FIG. 22, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 31 illustrates an exploded view of a flexible electrode of the surgical instrument of FIG. 22, in accordance with at least one other aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 32 illustrates an end view of a flexible electrode of the surgical instrument of FIG. 22, in accordance with at least one other aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 33 illustrates a top perspective view of a flexible electrode of the surgical instrument of FIG. 22, in accordance with at least one other aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a surgical instrument that has an interchangeable shaft assembly operably coupled thereto, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 35 is an exploded assembly view of a portion of the surgical instrument of FIG. 34, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 36 is an exploded assembly view of portions of the interchangeable shaft assembly, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 37 is an exploded view of an end effector of the surgical instrument of FIG. 34, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 38A is a block diagram of a control circuit of the surgical instrument of FIG. 34 spanning two drawing sheets, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 38B is a block diagram of a control circuit of the surgical instrument of FIG. 34 spanning two drawing sheets, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 39 is a block diagram of the control circuit of the surgical instrument of FIG. 34 illustrating interfaces between the handle assembly, the power assembly, and the handle assembly and the interchangeable shaft assembly, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 40 illustrates a logic flow diagram of a process depicting a control program or a logic configuration for marking tissue, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 41 illustrates a jaw member of an end effector that includes a staple cartridge, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 42 illustrates a jaw member of an end effector of an ultrasonic surgical instrument, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 43 illustrates an end effector of a surgical stapling and cutting instrument, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 44 illustrates a control system of a surgical instrument, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 45 illustrates tissue treatments applied to tissue to remove a cancerous portion of a colon, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 46 is a graph illustrating force-to-clamp (FTC) and force-to-fire (FTF) readings for a powered surgical instrument during a surgical procedure, and corresponding communication rates of transmission of the readings to a surgical hub, the readings and the communication rates being plotted against time, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 47 illustrates transmission rates for FTC data and FTF data at four example points in the graph of FIG. 46, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 48 illustrates a logic flow diagram of a process depicting a control program or a logic configuration for coordinating transmission of data between a powered surgical instrument and a surgical hub, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 49 is a control system of the powered surgical instrument of FIG. 46, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 50 illustrates a logic flow diagram of a process depicting a control program or a logic configuration for coordinating transmission of data between a powered surgical instrument and a surgical hub, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 51 is a timeline depicting situational awareness of a surgical hub, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications, filed on Dec. 4, 2018, the disclosures of each of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties:

application Ser. No. 16/209,385, titled METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION, PROCESSING, STORAGE AND DISPLAY, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0200844;

application Ser. No. 16/209,395, titled METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0201136;

application Ser. No. 16/209,403, titled METHOD OF CLOUD BASED DATA ANALYTICS FOR USE WITH THE HUB, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0206569;

application Ser. No. 16/209,407, titled METHOD OF ROBOTIC HUB COMMUNICATION, DETECTION, AND CONTROL, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0201137;

application Ser. No. 16/209,416, titled METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION, PROCESSING, DISPLAY, AND CLOUD ANALYTICS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0206562;

application Ser. No. 16/209,423, titled METHOD OF COMPRESSING TISSUE WITHIN A STAPLING DEVICE AND SIMULTANEOUSLY DISPLAYING THE LOCATION OF THE TISSUE WITHIN THE JAWS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0200981;

application Ser. No. 16/209,433, titled METHOD OF SENSING PARTICULATE FROM SMOKE EVACUATED FROM A PATIENT, ADJUSTING THE PUMP SPEED BASED ON THE SENSED INFORMATION, AND COMMUNICATING THE FUNCTIONAL PARAMETERS OF THE SYSTEM TO THE HUB, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0201594;

application Ser. No. 16/209,447, titled METHOD FOR SMOKE EVACUATION FOR SURGICAL HUB, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0201045;

application Ser. No. 16/209,453, titled METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SMART ENERGY DEVICES, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0201046;

application Ser. No. 16/209,458, titled METHOD FOR SMART ENERGY DEVICE INFRASTRUCTURE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0201047;

application Ser. No. 16/209,465, titled METHOD FOR ADAPTIVE CONTROL SCHEMES FOR SURGICAL NETWORK CONTROL AND INTERACTION, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,304,699;

application Ser. No. 16/209,478, titled METHOD FOR SITUATIONAL AWARENESS FOR SURGICAL NETWORK OR SURGICAL NETWORK CONNECTED DEVICE CAPABLE OF ADJUSTING FUNCTION BASED ON A SENSED SITUATION OR USAGE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0104919;

application Ser. No. 16/209,490, titled METHOD FOR FACILITY DATA COLLECTION AND INTERPRETATION, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0206564; and

application Ser. No. 16/209,491, titled METHOD FOR CIRCULAR STAPLER CONTROL ALGORITHM ADJUSTMENT BASED ON SITUATIONAL AWARENESS, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,109,866.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications, filed on Nov. 6, 2018, the disclosure of each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,224, titled SURGICAL         NETWORK, INSTRUMENT, AND CLOUD RESPONSES BASED ON VALIDATION OF         RECEIVED DATASET AND AUTHENTICATION OF ITS SOURCE AND INTEGRITY;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,230, titled SURGICAL         SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING INFORMATION INTERPRETED FROM EXTERNAL         DATA;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,233, titled SURGICAL         SYSTEMS WITH AUTONOMOUSLY ADJUSTABLE CONTROL PROGRAMS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,239, titled ADJUSTMENT         OF DEVICE CONTROL PROGRAMS BASED ON STRATIFIED CONTEXTUAL DATA         IN ADDITION TO THE DATA;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,243, titled SURGICAL HUB         AND MODULAR DEVICE RESPONSE ADJUSTMENT BASED ON SITUATIONAL         AWARENESS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,248, titled DETECTION         AND ESCALATION OF SECURITY RESPONSES OF SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS TO         INCREASING SEVERITY THREATS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,251, titled INTERACTIVE         SURGICAL SYSTEM;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,260, titled AUTOMATED         DATA SCALING, ALIGNMENT, AND ORGANIZING BASED ON PREDEFINED         PARAMETERS WITHIN SURGICAL NETWORKS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,267, titled SENSING THE         PATIENT POSITION AND CONTACT UTILIZING THE MONO-POLAR RETURN PAD         ELECTRODE TO PROVIDE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS TO THE HUB;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,249, titled POWERED         SURGICAL TOOL WITH PREDEFINED ADJUSTABLE CONTROL ALGORITHM FOR         CONTROLLING END EFFECTOR PARAMETER;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,246, titled ADJUSTMENTS         BASED ON AIRBORNE PARTICLE PROPERTIES;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,256, titled ADJUSTMENT         OF A SURGICAL DEVICE FUNCTION BASED ON SITUATIONAL AWARENESS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,242, titled REAL-TIME         ANALYSIS OF COMPREHENSIVE COST OF ALL INSTRUMENTATION USED IN         SURGERY UTILIZING DATA FLUIDITY TO TRACK INSTRUMENTS THROUGH         STOCKING AND IN-HOUSE PROCESSES;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,255, titled USAGE AND         TECHNIQUE ANALYSIS OF SURGEON/STAFF PERFORMANCE AGAINST A         BASELINE TO OPTIMIZE DEVICE UTILIZATION AND PERFORMANCE FOR BOTH         CURRENT AND FUTURE PROCEDURES;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,269, titled IMAGE         CAPTURING OF THE AREAS OUTSIDE THE ABDOMEN TO IMPROVE PLACEMENT         AND CONTROL OF A SURGICAL DEVICE IN USE;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,278, titled         COMMUNICATION OF DATA WHERE A SURGICAL NETWORK IS USING CONTEXT         OF THE DATA AND REQUIREMENTS OF A RECEIVING SYSTEM/USER TO         INFLUENCE INCLUSION OR LINKAGE OF DATA AND METADATA TO ESTABLISH         CONTINUITY;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,290, titled SURGICAL         NETWORK RECOMMENDATIONS FROM REAL TIME ANALYSIS OF PROCEDURE         VARIABLES AGAINST A BASELINE HIGHLIGHTING DIFFERENCES FROM THE         OPTIMAL SOLUTION;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,232, titled CONTROL OF A         SURGICAL SYSTEM THROUGH A SURGICAL BARRIER;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,227, titled SURGICAL         NETWORK DETERMINATION OF PRIORITIZATION OF COMMUNICATION,         INTERACTION, OR PROCESSING BASED ON SYSTEM OR DEVICE NEEDS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,231, titled WIRELESS         PAIRING OF A SURGICAL DEVICE WITH ANOTHER DEVICE WITHIN A         STERILE SURGICAL FIELD BASED ON THE USAGE AND SITUATIONAL         AWARENESS OF DEVICES;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,229, titled ADJUSTMENT         OF STAPLE HEIGHT OF AT LEAST ONE ROW OF STAPLES BASED ON THE         SENSED TISSUE THICKNESS OR FORCE IN CLOSING;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,234, titled STAPLING         DEVICE WITH BOTH COMPULSORY AND DISCRETIONARY LOCKOUTS BASED ON         SENSED PARAMETERS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,240, titled POWERED         STAPLING DEVICE CONFIGURED TO ADJUST FORCE, ADVANCEMENT SPEED,         AND OVERALL STROKE OF CUTTING MEMBER BASED ON SENSED PARAMETER         OF FIRING OR CLAMPING;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,235, titled VARIATION OF         RADIO FREQUENCY AND ULTRASONIC POWER LEVEL IN COOPERATION WITH         VARYING CLAMP ARM PRESSURE TO ACHIEVE PREDEFINED HEAT FLUX OR         POWER APPLIED TO TISSUE; and     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,238, titled ULTRASONIC         ENERGY DEVICE WHICH VARIES PRESSURE APPLIED BY CLAMP ARM TO         PROVIDE THRESHOLD CONTROL PRESSURE AT A CUT PROGRESSION         LOCATION.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications that were filed on Oct. 26, 2018, the disclosure of each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,303, titled METHOD FOR         OPERATING A POWERED ARTICULATING MULTI-CLIP APPLIER;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,130, titled CLIP APPLIER         COMPRISING INTERCHANGEABLE CLIP RELOADS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,066, titled CLIP APPLIER         COMPRISING A MOVABLE CLIP MAGAZINE;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,078, titled CLIP APPLIER         COMPRISING A ROTATABLE CLIP MAGAZINE;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,087, titled CLIP APPLIER         COMPRISING CLIP ADVANCING SYSTEMS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,094, titled CLIP APPLIER         COMPRISING A CLIP CRIMPING SYSTEM;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,128, titled CLIP APPLIER         COMPRISING A RECIPROCATING CLIP ADVANCING MEMBER;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,168, titled CLIP APPLIER         COMPRISING A MOTOR CONTROLLER;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,164, titled SURGICAL         SYSTEM COMPRISING A SURGICAL TOOL AND A SURGICAL HUB;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,328, titled METHOD OF         HUB COMMUNICATION WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,280, titled METHOD FOR         PRODUCING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SMART ELECTRICAL         SYSTEM;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,219, titled METHOD OF         HUB COMMUNICATION WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,248, titled METHOD OF         HUB COMMUNICATION WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,198, titled METHOD OF         HUB COMMUNICATION WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS; and     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,155, titled METHOD OF         HUB COMMUNICATION WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications, filed on Aug. 28, 2018, the disclosure of each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/115,214, titled ESTIMATING         STATE OF ULTRASONIC END EFFECTOR AND CONTROL SYSTEM THEREFOR;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/115,205, titled TEMPERATURE         CONTROL OF ULTRASONIC END EFFECTOR AND CONTROL SYSTEM THEREFOR;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/115,233, titled RADIO         FREQUENCY ENERGY DEVICE FOR DELIVERING COMBINED ELECTRICAL         SIGNALS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/115,208, titled CONTROLLING         AN ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ACCORDING TO TISSUE LOCATION;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/115,220, titled CONTROLLING         ACTIVATION OF AN ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ACCORDING TO THE         PRESENCE OF TISSUE;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/115,232, titled DETERMINING         TISSUE COMPOSITION VIA AN ULTRASONIC SYSTEM;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/115,239, titled DETERMINING         THE STATE OF AN ULTRASONIC ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEM ACCORDING TO         FREQUENCY SHIFT;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/115,247, titled DETERMINING         THE STATE OF AN ULTRASONIC END EFFECTOR;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/115,211, titled SITUATIONAL         AWARENESS OF ELECTROSURGICAL SYSTEMS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/115,226, titled MECHANISMS         FOR CONTROLLING DIFFERENT ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS OF AN         ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENT;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/115,240, titled DETECTION OF         END EFFECTOR EMERSON IN LIQUID;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/115,249, titled INTERRUPTION         OF ENERGY DUE TO INADVERTENT CAPACITIVE COUPLING;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/115,256, titled INCREASING         RADIO FREQUENCY TO CREATE PAD-LESS MONOPOLAR LOOP;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/115,223, titled BIPOLAR         COMBINATION DEVICE THAT AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTS PRESSURE BASED ON         ENERGY MODALITY; and     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/115,238, titled ACTIVATION         OF ENERGY DEVICES.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications, filed on Aug. 24, 2018, the disclosure of each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,129, titled SURGICAL         SUTURING INSTRUMENT CONFIGURED TO MANIPULATE TISSUE USING         MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL POWER;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,155, titled SURGICAL         SUTURING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CAPTURE WIDTH WHICH IS LARGER         THAN TROCAR DIAMETER;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,168, titled SURGICAL         SUTURING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A NON-CIRCULAR NEEDLE;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,180, titled ELECTRICAL         POWER OUTPUT CONTROL BASED ON MECHANICAL FORCES;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,193, titled REACTIVE         ALGORITHM FOR SURGICAL SYSTEM;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,099, titled SURGICAL         INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ADAPTIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,112, titled CONTROL         SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR A MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENT;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,119, titled ADAPTIVE         CONTROL PROGRAMS FOR A SURGICAL SYSTEM COMPRISING MORE THAN ONE         TYPE OF CARTRIDGE;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,097, titled SURGICAL         INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING BATTERY ARRANGEMENTS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,109, titled SURGICAL         INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING HANDLE ARRANGEMENTS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,114, titled SURGICAL         INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING FEEDBACK MECHANISMS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,117, titled SURGICAL         INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING LOCKOUT MECHANISMS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,095, titled SURGICAL         INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING A LOCKABLE END EFFECTOR SOCKET;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,121, titled SURGICAL         INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING A SHIFTING MECHANISM;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,151, titled SURGICAL         INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING A SYSTEM FOR ARTICULATION AND ROTATION         COMPENSATION;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,154, titled SURGICAL         INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING A BIASED SHIFTING MECHANISM;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,226, titled SURGICAL         INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION DRIVE THAT PROVIDES FOR         HIGH ARTICULATION ANGLES;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,062, titled SURGICAL         DISSECTORS AND MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,098, titled SURGICAL         DISSECTORS CONFIGURED TO APPLY MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL ENERGY;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,237, titled SURGICAL         CLIP APPLIER CONFIGURED TO STORE CLIPS IN A STORED STATE;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,245, titled SURGICAL         CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING AN EMPTY CLIP CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,249, titled SURGICAL         CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING AN AUTOMATIC CLIP FEEDING SYSTEM;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,253, titled SURGICAL         CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING ADAPTIVE FIRING CONTROL; and     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,257, titled SURGICAL         CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING ADAPTIVE CONTROL IN RESPONSE TO A STRAIN         GAUGE CIRCUIT.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications, filed on Jun. 29, 2018, the disclosure of each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/024,090, titled CAPACITIVE         COUPLED RETURN PATH PAD WITH SEPARABLE ARRAY ELEMENTS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/024,057, titled CONTROLLING         A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ACCORDING TO SENSED CLOSURE PARAMETERS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/024,067, titled SYSTEMS FOR         ADJUSTING END EFFECTOR PARAMETERS BASED ON PERIOPERATIVE         INFORMATION;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/024,075, titled SAFETY         SYSTEMS FOR SMART POWERED SURGICAL STAPLING;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/024,083, titled SAFETY         SYSTEMS FOR SMART POWERED SURGICAL STAPLING;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/024,094, titled SURGICAL         SYSTEMS FOR DETECTING END EFFECTOR TISSUE DISTRIBUTION         IRREGULARITIES;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/024,138, titled SYSTEMS FOR         DEFECTING PROXIMITY OF SURGICAL END EFFECTOR TO CANCEROUS         TISSUE;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/024,150, titled SURGICAL         INSTRUMENT CARTRIDGE SENSOR ASSEMBLIES;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/024,160, titled VARIABLE         OUTPUT CARTRIDGE SENSOR ASSEMBLY;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/024,124, titled SURGICAL         INSTRUMENT HAVING A FLEXIBLE ELECTRODE;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/024,132, titled SURGICAL         INSTRUMENT HAVING A FLEXIBLE CIRCUIT;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/024,141, titled SURGICAL         INSTRUMENT WITH A TISSUE MARKING ASSEMBLY;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/024,162, titled SURGICAL         SYSTEMS WITH PRIORITIZED DATA TRANSMISSION CAPABILITIES;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/024,066, titled SURGICAL         EVACUATION SENSING AND MOTOR CONTROL;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/024,096, titled SURGICAL         EVACUATION SENSOR ARRANGEMENTS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/024,116, titled SURGICAL         EVACUATION FLOW PATHS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/024,149, titled SURGICAL         EVACUATION SENSING AND GENERATOR CONTROL;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/024,180, titled SURGICAL         EVACUATION SENSING AND DISPLAY;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/024,245, titled         COMMUNICATION OF SMOKE EVACUATION SYSTEM PARAMETERS TO HUB OR         CLOUD IN SMOKE EVACUATION MODULE FOR INTERACTIVE SURGICAL         PLATFORM;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/024,258, titled SMOKE         EVACUATION SYSTEM INCLUDING A SEGMENTED CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR         INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/024,265, titled SURGICAL         EVACUATION SYSTEM WITH A COMMUNICATION CIRCUIT FOR COMMUNICATION         BETWEEN A FIL lER AND A SMOKE EVACUATION DEVICE; and     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/024,273, titled DUAL         IN-SERIES LARGE AND SMALL DROPLET FILTERS.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications, filed on Mar. 29, 2018, the disclosure of each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,641, titled INTERACTIVE         SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH ENCRYPTED COMMUNICATION CAPABILITIES;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,648, titled INTERACTIVE         SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH CONDITION HANDLING OF DEVICES AND DATA         CAPABILITIES;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,656, titled SURGICAL HUB         COORDINATION OF CONTROL AND COMMUNICATION OF OPERATING ROOM         DEVICES;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,666, titled SPATIAL         AWARENESS OF SURGICAL HUBS IN OPERATING ROOMS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,670, titled COOPERATIVE         UTILIZATION OF DATA DERIVED FROM SECONDARY SOURCES BY         INTELLIGENT SURGICAL HUBS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,677, titled SURGICAL HUB         CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,632, titled DATA         STRIPPING METHOD TO INTERROGATE PATIENT RECORDS AND CREATE         ANONYMIZED RECORD;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,640, titled         COMMUNICATION HUB AND STORAGE DEVICE FOR STORING PARAMETERS AND         STATUS OF A SURGICAL DEVICE TO BE SHARED WITH CLOUD BASED         ANALYTICS SYSTEMS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,645, titled SELF         DESCRIBING DATA PACKETS GENERATED AT AN ISSUING INSTRUMENT;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,649, titled DATA PAIRING         TO INTERCONNECT A DEVICE MEASURED PARAMETER WITH AN OUTCOME;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,654, titled SURGICAL HUB         SITUATIONAL AWARENESS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,663, titled SURGICAL         SYSTEM DISTRIBUTED PROCESSING;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,668, titled AGGREGATION         AND REPORTING OF SURGICAL HUB DATA;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,671, titled SURGICAL HUB         SPATIAL AWARENESS TO DETERMINE DEVICES IN OPERATING THEATER;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,686, titled DISPLAY OF         ALIGNMENT OF STAPLE CARTRIDGE TO PRIOR LINEAR STAPLE LINE;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,700, titled STERILE         FIELD INTERACTIVE CONTROL DISPLAYS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,629, titled COMPUTER         IMPLEMENTED INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,704, titled USE OF LASER         LIGHT AND RED-GREEN-BLUE COLORATION TO DETERMINE PROPERTIES OF         BACK SCATTERED LIGHT;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,722, titled         CHARACTERIZATION OF TISSUE IRREGULARITIES THROUGH THE USE OF         MONO-CHROMATIC LIGHT REFRACTIVITY;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,742, titled DUAL CMOS         ARRAY IMAGING;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,636, titled ADAPTIVE         CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR SURGICAL DEVICES;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,653, titled ADAPTIVE         CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR SURGICAL HUBS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,660, titled CLOUD-BASED         MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR CUSTOMIZATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO A         USER;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,679, titled CLOUD-BASED         MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR LINKING OF LOCAL USAGE TRENDS WITH THE         RESOURCE ACQUISITION BEHAVIORS OF LARGER DATA SET;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,694, titled CLOUD-BASED         MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR MEDICAL FACILITY SEGMENTED         INDIVIDUALIZATION OF INSTRUMENT FUNCTION;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,634, titled CLOUD-BASED         MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR SECURITY AND AUTHENTICATION TRENDS AND         REACTIVE MEASURES;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,706, titled DATA         HANDLING AND PRIORITIZATION IN A CLOUD ANALYTICS NETWORK;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,675, titled CLOUD         INTERFACE FOR COUPLED SURGICAL DEVICES;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,627, titled DRIVE         ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,637, titled         COMMUNICATION ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL         PLATFORMS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,642, titled CONTROLS FOR         ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,676, titled AUTOMATIC         TOOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,680, titled CONTROLLERS         FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,683, titled COOPERATIVE         SURGICAL ACTIONS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,690, titled DISPLAY         ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS; and     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,711, titled SENSING         ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Provisional Patent Applications, filed on Mar. 8, 2018, the disclosure of each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety:

-   -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/640,417, titled         TEMPERATURE CONTROL IN ULTRASONIC DEVICE AND CONTROL SYSTEM         THEREFOR; and     -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/640,415, titled         ESTIMATING STATE OF ULTRASONIC END EFFECTOR AND CONTROL SYSTEM         THEREFOR.

It is to be understood that at least some of the figures and descriptions of the invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other elements that those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate may also comprise a portion of the invention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the invention, a description of such elements is not provided herein.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols and reference characters typically identify similar components throughout several views, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative aspects described in the detailed description, drawings and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other aspects may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the scope of the technology described herein.

The following description of certain examples of the technology should not be used to limit its scope. Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments, and advantages of the technology will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, which is by way of illustration, one of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the technology. As will be realized, the technology described herein is capable of other different and obvious aspects, all without departing from the technology. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

It is further understood that any one or more of the teachings, expressions, aspects, embodiments, examples, etc., described herein may be combined with any one or more of the other teachings, expressions, aspects, embodiments, examples, etc., that are described herein. The following described teachings, expressions, aspects, embodiments, examples, etc., should therefore not be viewed in isolation relative to each other. Various suitable ways in which the teachings herein may be combined will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

Before explaining the various aspects of the surgical system, the surgical instrument, the flexible circuit and the flexible electrode assembly in detail, it should be noted that the various aspects disclosed herein are not limited in their application or use to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and description. Rather, the disclosed aspects may be positioned or incorporated in other aspects, embodiments, variations, and modifications thereof and may be practiced or carried out in various ways. Accordingly, aspects of the surgical system, the surgical instrument, the flexible circuit, and the flexible electrode assembly disclosed herein are illustrative in nature and are not meant to limit the scope or application thereof. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated, the terms and expressions employed herein have been chosen for the purpose of describing the aspects for the convenience of the reader and are not meant to limit the scope thereof. In addition, it should be understood that any one or more of the disclosed aspects, expressions of aspects, and/or examples thereof, can be combined with any one or more of the other disclosed aspects, expressions of aspects, and/or examples thereof, without limitation.

Also, in the following description, it is to be understood that terms such as inward, outward, upward, downward, above, below, left, right, interior, exterior, and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms. Terminology used herein is not meant to be limiting insofar as devices described herein, or portions thereof, may be attached or utilized in other orientations. The various aspects will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

As described in more detail hereinbelow, aspects of the invention may be implemented by a computing device and/or a computer program stored on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may comprise a disk, a device, and/or a propagated signal.

Referring to FIG. 1, a computer-implemented interactive surgical system 100 includes one or more surgical systems 102 and a cloud-based system (e.g., the cloud 104 that may include a remote server 113 coupled to a storage device 105). Each surgical system 102 includes at least one surgical hub 106 in communication with the cloud 104 that may include a remote server 113. In one example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the surgical system 102 includes a visualization system 108, a robotic system 110, and a handheld intelligent surgical instrument 112, which are configured to communicate with one another and/or surgical hub 106. In some aspects, a surgical system 102 may include an M number of hubs 106, an N number of visualization systems 108, an O number of robotic systems 110, and a P number of handheld intelligent surgical instruments 112, where M, N, O, and P are integers greater than or equal to one.

FIG. 3 depicts an example of a surgical system 102 being used to perform a surgical procedure on a patient who is lying down on an operating table 114 in a surgical operating room 116. A robotic system 110 is used in the surgical procedure as a part of the surgical system 102. The robotic system 110 includes a surgeon's console 118, a patient side cart 120 (surgical robot), and a surgical robotic hub 122. The patient side cart 120 can manipulate at least one removably coupled surgical tool 117 through a minimally invasive incision in the body of the patient while the surgeon views the surgical site through the surgeon's console 118. An image of the surgical site can be obtained by a medical imaging device 124, which can be manipulated by the patient side cart 120 to orient the imaging device 124. The robotic hub 122 can be used to process the images of the surgical site for subsequent display to the surgeon through the surgeon's console 118.

Other types of robotic systems can be readily adapted for use with the surgical system 102. Various examples of robotic systems and surgical tools that are suitable for use with the present disclosure are described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/611,339, titled ROBOT ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORM, filed Dec. 28, 2017, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Various examples of cloud-based analytics that are performed by the cloud 104, and are suitable for use with the present disclosure, are described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/611,340, titled CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS, filed Dec. 28, 2017, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In various aspects, the imaging device 124 includes at least one image sensor and one or more optical components. Suitable image sensors include, but are not limited to, Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) sensors and Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) sensors.

The optical components of the imaging device 124 may include one or more illumination sources and/or one or more lenses. The one or more illumination sources may be directed to illuminate portions of the surgical field. The one or more image sensors may receive light reflected or refracted from the surgical field, including light reflected or refracted from tissue and/or surgical instruments.

The one or more illumination sources may be configured to radiate electromagnetic energy in the visible spectrum as well as the invisible spectrum. The visible spectrum, sometimes referred to as the optical spectrum or luminous spectrum, is that portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to (i.e., can be detected by) the human eye and may be referred to as visible light or simply light. A typical human eye will respond to wavelengths in air that are from about 380 nm to about 750 nm.

The invisible spectrum (i.e., the non-luminous spectrum) is that portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that lies below and above the visible spectrum (i.e., wavelengths below about 380 nm and above about 750 nm). The invisible spectrum is not detectable by the human eye. Wavelengths greater than about 750 nm are longer than the red visible spectrum, and they become invisible infrared (IR), microwave, and radio electromagnetic radiation. Wavelengths less than about 380 nm are shorter than the violet spectrum, and they become invisible ultraviolet, x-ray, and gamma ray electromagnetic radiation.

In various aspects, the imaging device 124 is configured for use in a minimally invasive procedure. Examples of imaging devices suitable for use with the present disclosure include, but not limited to, an arthroscope, angioscope, bronchoscope, choledochoscope, colonoscope, cytoscope, duodenoscope, enteroscope, esophagogastro-duodenoscope (gastroscope), endoscope, laryngoscope, nasopharyngo-neproscope, sigmoidoscope, thoracoscope, and ureteroscope.

In one aspect, the imaging device employs multi-spectrum monitoring to discriminate topography and underlying structures. A multi-spectral image is one that captures image data within specific wavelength ranges across the electromagnetic spectrum. The wavelengths may be separated by filters or by the use of instruments that are sensitive to particular wavelengths, including light from frequencies beyond the visible light range, e.g., IR and ultraviolet. Spectral imaging can allow extraction of additional information the human eye fails to capture with its receptors for red, green, and blue. The use of multi-spectral imaging is described in greater detail under the heading “Advanced Imaging Acquisition Module” in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/611,341, titled INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM, filed Dec. 28, 2017, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Multi-spectrum monitoring can be a useful tool in relocating a surgical field after a surgical task is completed to perform one or more of the previously described tests on the treated tissue.

It is axiomatic that strict sterilization of the operating room and surgical equipment is required during any surgery. The strict hygiene and sterilization conditions required in a “surgical theater,” i.e., an operating or treatment room, necessitate the highest possible sterility of all medical devices and equipment. Part of that sterilization process is the need to sterilize anything that comes in contact with the patient or penetrates the sterile field, including the imaging device 124 and its attachments and components. It will be appreciated that the sterile field may be considered a specified area, such as within a tray or on a sterile towel, that is considered free of microorganisms, or the sterile field may be considered an area, immediately around a patient, who has been prepared for a surgical procedure. The sterile field may include the scrubbed team members, who are properly attired, and all furniture and fixtures in the area.

In various aspects, the visualization system 108 includes one or more imaging sensors, one or more image processing units, one or more storage arrays, and one or more displays that are strategically arranged with respect to the sterile field, as illustrated in FIG. 2. In one aspect, the visualization system 108 includes an interface for HL7, PACS, and EMR. Various components of the visualization system 108 are described under the heading “Advanced Imaging Acquisition Module” in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/611,341, titled INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM, filed Dec. 28, 2017, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a primary display 119 is positioned in the sterile field to be visible to an operator at the operating table 114. In addition, a visualization tower 111 is positioned outside the sterile field. The visualization tower 111 includes a first non-sterile display 107 and a second non-sterile display 109, which face away from each other. The visualization system 108, guided by surgical hub 106, is configured to utilize the displays 107, 109, and 119 to coordinate information flow to operators inside and outside the sterile field. For example, surgical hub 106 may cause the visualization system 108 to display a snapshot of a surgical site, as recorded by an imaging device 124, on a non-sterile display 107 or 109, while maintaining a live feed of the surgical site on the primary display 119. The snap-shot on the non-sterile display 107 or 109 can permit a non-sterile operator to perform a diagnostic step relevant to the surgical procedure, for example.

In one aspect, surgical hub 106 is also configured to route a diagnostic input or feedback entered by a nonsterile operator at the visualization tower 111 to the primary display 119 within the sterile field, where it can be viewed by a sterile operator at the operating table. In one example, the input can be in the form of a modification to the snapshot displayed on the non-sterile display 107 or 109, which can be routed to the primary display 119 by surgical hub 106.

Referring to FIG. 2, a surgical instrument 112 is being used in the surgical procedure as part of the surgical system 102. Surgical hub 106 is also configured to coordinate information flow to a display of the surgical instrument 112. For example, see U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/611,341, titled INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM, filed Dec. 28, 2017, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. A diagnostic input or feedback entered by a non-sterile operator at the visualization tower 111 can be routed by surgical hub 106 to the surgical instrument display 115 within the sterile field, where it can be viewed by the operator of the surgical instrument 112. Example surgical instruments that are suitable for use with the surgical system 102 are described under the heading “Surgical Instrument Hardware” and in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/611,341, titled INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM, filed Dec. 28, 2017, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, for example.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a surgical hub 106 is depicted in communication with a visualization system 108, a robotic system 110, and a handheld intelligent surgical instrument 112. Surgical hub 106 includes a surgical hub display 135, an imaging module 138, a generator module 140, a communication module 130, a processor module 132, and a storage array 134. In certain aspects, as illustrated in FIG. 3, surgical hub 106 further includes a smoke evacuation module 126 and/or a suction/irrigation module 128.

During a surgical procedure, energy application to tissue, for sealing and/or cutting, is generally associated with smoke evacuation, suction of excess fluid, and/or irrigation of the tissue. Fluid, power, and/or data lines from different sources are often entangled during the surgical procedure. Valuable time can be lost addressing this issue during a surgical procedure. Detangling the lines may necessitate disconnecting the lines from their respective modules, which may require resetting the modules. Surgical hub modular enclosure 136 offers a unified environment for managing the power, data, and fluid lines, which reduces the frequency of entanglement between such lines.

Aspects of the present disclosure present a surgical hub for use in a surgical procedure that involves energy application to tissue at a surgical site. The surgical hub includes a surgical hub enclosure and a combo generator module slidably receivable in a docking station of surgical hub enclosure. The docking station includes data and power contacts. The combo generator module includes two or more of an ultrasonic energy generator component, a bipolar RF energy generator component, and a monopolar RF energy generator component that are housed in a single unit. In one aspect, the combo generator module also includes a smoke evacuation component, at least one energy delivery cable for connecting the combo generator module to a surgical instrument; at least one smoke evacuation component configured to evacuate smoke, fluid, and/or particulates generated by the application of therapeutic energy to the tissue; and a fluid line extending from the remote surgical site to the smoke evacuation component.

In one aspect, the fluid line is a first fluid line and a second fluid line extends from the remote surgical site to a suction and irrigation module slidably received in surgical hub enclosure. In one aspect, surgical hub enclosure comprises a fluid interface.

Certain surgical procedures may require the application of more than one energy type to the tissue. One energy type may be more beneficial for cutting the tissue, while another different energy type may be more beneficial for sealing the tissue. For example, a bipolar generator can be used to seal the tissue while an ultrasonic generator can be used to cut the sealed tissue. Aspects of the present disclosure present a solution where a surgical hub modular enclosure 136 is configured to accommodate different generators, and facilitate an interactive communication therebetween. One of the advantages of surgical hub modular enclosure 136 is enabling the quick removal and/or replacement of various modules.

Aspects of the present disclosure present a modular surgical enclosure for use in a surgical procedure that involves energy application to tissue. The modular surgical enclosure includes a first energy-generator module, configured to generate a first energy for application to the tissue, and a first docking station comprising a first docking port that includes first data and power contacts, wherein the first energy-generator module is slidably movable into an electrical engagement with the power and data contacts and wherein the first energy-generator module is slidably movable out of the electrical engagement with the first power and data contacts.

Further to the above, the modular surgical enclosure also includes a second energy-generator module configured to generate a second energy, different than the first energy, for application to the tissue, and a second docking station comprising a second docking port that includes second data and power contacts, wherein the second energy-generator module is slidably movable into an electrical engagement with the power and data contacts, and wherein the second energy-generator module is slidably movable out of the electrical engagement with the second power and data contacts.

In addition, the modular surgical enclosure also includes a communication bus between the first docking port and the second docking port, configured to facilitate communication between the first energy-generator module and the second energy-generator module.

Referring to FIGS. 3-7, aspects of the present disclosure are presented for a surgical hub modular enclosure 136 that allows the modular integration of a generator module 140, a smoke evacuation module 126, and a suction/irrigation module 128. Surgical hub modular enclosure 136 further facilitates interactive communication between the modules 140, 126, 128. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the generator module 140 can be a generator module with integrated monopolar, bipolar, and ultrasonic components supported in a single housing unit 139 slidably insertable into surgical hub modular enclosure 136. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the generator module 140 can be configured to connect to a monopolar device 146, a bipolar device 147, and an ultrasonic device 148. Alternatively, the generator module 140 may comprise a series of monopolar, bipolar, and/or ultrasonic generator modules that interact through surgical hub modular enclosure 136. Surgical hub modular enclosure 136 can be configured to facilitate the insertion of multiple generators and interactive communication between the generators docked into surgical hub modular enclosure 136 so that the generators would act as a single generator.

In one aspect, surgical hub modular enclosure 136 comprises a modular power and communication backplane 149 with external and wireless communication headers to enable the removable attachment of the modules 140, 126, 128 and interactive communication therebetween.

In one aspect, surgical hub modular enclosure 136 includes docking stations, or drawers, 151, herein also referred to as drawers, which are configured to slidably receive the modules 140, 126, 128. FIG. 4 illustrates a partial perspective view of a surgical hub enclosure 136 and a combo generator module 145 slidably receivable in a docking station 151 of the surgical hub enclosure 136. A docking port 152 with power and data contacts on a rear side of the combo generator module 145 is configured to engage a corresponding docking port 150 with power and data contacts of a corresponding docking station 151 of surgical hub modular enclosure 136 as the combo generator module 145 is slid into position within the corresponding docking station 151 of surgical hub module enclosure 136. In one aspect, the combo generator module 145 includes a bipolar, ultrasonic, and monopolar module and a smoke evacuation module integrated together into a single housing unit 139, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

In various aspects, the smoke evacuation module 126 includes a fluid line 154 that conveys captured/collected smoke and/or fluid away from a surgical site and to, for example, the smoke evacuation module 126. Vacuum suction originating from the smoke evacuation module 126 can draw the smoke into an opening of a utility conduit at the surgical site. The utility conduit, coupled to the fluid line, can be in the form of a flexible tube terminating at the smoke evacuation module 126. The utility conduit and the fluid line define a fluid path extending toward the smoke evacuation module 126 that is received in surgical hub enclosure 136.

In various aspects, the suction/irrigation module 128 is coupled to a surgical tool comprising an aspiration fluid line and a suction fluid line. In one example, the aspiration and suction fluid lines are in the form of flexible tubes extending from the surgical site toward the suction/irrigation module 128. One or more drive systems can be configured to cause irrigation and aspiration of fluids to and from the surgical site.

In one aspect, the surgical tool includes a shaft having an end effector at a distal end thereof and at least one energy treatment associated with the end effector, an aspiration tube, and an irrigation tube. The aspiration tube can have an inlet port at a distal end thereof and the aspiration tube extends through the shaft. Similarly, an irrigation tube can extend through the shaft and can have an inlet port in proximity to the energy deliver implement. The energy deliver implement is configured to deliver ultrasonic and/or RF energy to the surgical site and is coupled to the generator module 140 by a cable extending initially through the shaft.

The irrigation tube can be in fluid communication with a fluid source, and the aspiration tube can be in fluid communication with a vacuum source. The fluid source and/or the vacuum source can be housed in the suction/irrigation module 128. In one example, the fluid source and/or the vacuum source can be housed in surgical hub enclosure 136 separately from the suction/irrigation module 128. In such example, a fluid interface can be configured to connect the suction/irrigation module 128 to the fluid source and/or the vacuum source.

In one aspect, the modules 140, 126, 128 and/or their corresponding docking stations on surgical hub modular enclosure 136 may include alignment features that are configured to align the docking ports of the modules into engagement with their counterparts in the docking stations of surgical hub modular enclosure 136. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the combo generator module 145 includes side brackets 155 that are configured to slidably engage with corresponding brackets 156 of the corresponding docking station 151 of surgical hub modular enclosure 136. The brackets cooperate to guide the docking port contacts of the combo generator module 145 into an electrical engagement with the docking port contacts of surgical hub modular enclosure 136.

In some aspects, the drawers 151 of surgical hub modular enclosure 136 are the same, or substantially the same size, and the modules are adjusted in size to be received in the drawers 151. For example, the side brackets 155 and/or 156 can be larger or smaller depending on the size of the module. In other aspects, the drawers 151 are different in size and are each designed to accommodate a particular module.

Furthermore, the contacts of a particular module can be keyed for engagement with the contacts of a particular drawer to avoid inserting a module into a drawer with mismatching contacts.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the docking port 150 of one drawer 151 can be coupled to the docking port 150 of another drawer 151 through a communications link 157 to facilitate an interactive communication between the modules housed in surgical hub modular enclosure 136. The docking ports 150 of surgical hub modular enclosure 136 may alternatively, or additionally, facilitate a wireless interactive communication between the modules housed in surgical hub modular enclosure 136. Any suitable wireless communication can be employed, such as, for example, Air Titan-Bluetooth.

FIG. 6 illustrates individual power bus attachments for a plurality of lateral docking ports of a lateral modular housing 160 configured to receive a plurality of modules of a surgical hub 206. The lateral modular housing 160 is configured to laterally receive and interconnect the modules 161. The modules 161 are slidably inserted into docking stations 162 of lateral modular housing 160, which includes a backplane for interconnecting the modules 161. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the modules 161 are arranged laterally in the lateral modular housing 160. Alternatively, the modules 161 may be arranged vertically in a vertical modular housing.

FIG. 7 illustrates a vertical modular housing 164 configured to receive a plurality of modules 165 of the surgical hub 106. The modules 165 are slidably inserted into docking stations, or drawers, 167 of vertical modular housing 164, which includes a backplane for interconnecting the modules 165. Although the drawers 167 of the vertical modular housing 164 are arranged vertically, in certain instances, a vertical modular housing 164 may include drawers that are arranged laterally. Furthermore, the modules 165 may interact with one another through the docking ports of the vertical modular housing 164. In the example of FIG. 7, a display 177 is provided for displaying data relevant to the operation of the modules 165. In addition, the vertical modular housing 164 includes a master module 178 housing a plurality of sub-modules that are slidably received in the master module 178.

In various aspects, the imaging module 138 comprises an integrated video processor and a modular light source and is adapted for use with various imaging devices. In one aspect, the imaging device is comprised of a modular housing that can be assembled with a light source module and a camera module. The housing can be a disposable housing. In at least one example, the disposable housing is removably coupled to a reusable controller, a light source module, and a camera module. The light source module and/or the camera module can be selectively chosen depending on the type of surgical procedure. In one aspect, the camera module comprises a CCD sensor. In another aspect, the camera module comprises a CMOS sensor. In another aspect, the camera module is configured for scanned beam imaging. Likewise, the light source module can be configured to deliver a white light or a different light, depending on the surgical procedure.

During a surgical procedure, removing a surgical device from the surgical field and replacing it with another surgical device that includes a different camera or a different light source can be inefficient. Temporarily losing sight of the surgical field may lead to undesirable consequences. The module imaging device of the present disclosure is configured to permit the replacement of a light source module or a camera module midstream during a surgical procedure, without having to remove the imaging device from the surgical field.

In one aspect, the imaging device comprises a tubular housing that includes a plurality of channels. A first channel is configured to slidably receive the camera module, which can be configured for a snap-fit engagement with the first channel. A second channel is configured to slidably receive the light source module, which can be configured for a snap-fit engagement with the second channel. In another example, the camera module and/or the light source module can be rotated into a final position within their respective channels. A threaded engagement can be employed in lieu of the snap-fit engagement.

In various examples, multiple imaging devices are placed at different positions in the surgical field to provide multiple views. The imaging module 138 can be configured to switch between the imaging devices to provide an optimal view. In various aspects, the imaging module 138 can be configured to integrate the images from the different imaging device.

Various image processors and imaging devices suitable for use with the present disclosure are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,995,045, titled COMBINED SBI AND CONVENTIONAL IMAGE PROCESSOR, which issued on Aug. 9, 2011, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 7,982,776, titled SBI MOTION ARTIFACT REMOVAL APPARATUS AND METHOD, which issued on Jul. 19, 2011, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, describes various systems for removing motion artifacts from image data. Such systems can be integrated with the imaging module 138. Furthermore, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0306840, titled CONTROLLABLE MAGNETIC SOURCE TO FIXTURE INTRACORPOREAL APPARATUS, published on Dec. 15, 2011, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0243597, titled SYSTEM FOR PERFORMING A MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGICAL PROCEDURE, published on Aug. 28, 2014, the disclosure of each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 8 illustrates a surgical data network 201 comprising a modular communication hub 203 configured to connect modular devices located in one or more operating theaters of a healthcare facility, or any room in a healthcare facility specially equipped for surgical operations, to a cloud-based system (e.g., the cloud 204 that may include a remote server 213 coupled to a storage device 205 (FIG. 9)). In one aspect, the modular communication hub 203 comprises a network hub 207 and/or a network switch 209 in communication with a network router. The modular communication hub 203 also can be coupled to a local computer system 210 to provide local computer processing and data manipulation. The surgical data network 201 may be configured as passive, intelligent, or switching. A passive surgical data network serves as a conduit for the data, enabling it to go from one device (or segment) to another and to the cloud computing resources. An intelligent surgical data network includes additional features to enable the traffic passing through the surgical data network to be monitored and to configure each port in the network hub 207 or network switch 209. An intelligent surgical data network may be referred to as a manageable hub or switch. A switching hub reads the destination address of each packet and then forwards the packet to the correct port.

Modular devices 1 a-1 n located in the operating theater may be coupled to the modular communication hub 203. The network hub 207 and/or the network switch 209 may be coupled to a network router 211 to connect the devices 1 a-1 n to the cloud 204 or the local computer system 210. Data associated with the devices 1 a-1 n may be transferred to cloud-based computers via the router for remote data processing and manipulation. Data associated with the devices 1 a-1 n may also be transferred to the local computer system 210 for local data processing and manipulation. Modular devices 2 a-2 m located in the same operating theater also may be coupled to a network switch 209. The network switch 209 may be coupled to the network hub 207 and/or the network router 211 to connect to the devices 2 a-2 m to the cloud 204. Data associated with the devices 2 a-2 m may be transferred to the cloud 204 via the network router 211 for data processing and manipulation. Data associated with the devices 2 a-2 m may also be transferred to the local computer system 210 for local data processing and manipulation.

It will be appreciated that the surgical data network 201 may be expanded by interconnecting multiple network hubs 207 and/or multiple network switches 209 with multiple network routers 211. The modular communication hub 203 may be contained in a modular control tower configured to receive multiple devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m. The local computer system 210 also may be contained in a modular control tower. The modular communication hub 203 is connected to a display 212 to display images obtained by some of the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m, for example during surgical procedures. In various aspects, the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m may include, for example, various modules such as an imaging module 138 coupled to an endoscope, a generator module 140 coupled to an energy-based surgical device, a smoke evacuation module 126, a suction/irrigation module 128, a communication module 130, a processor module 132, a storage array 134, a surgical device coupled to a display, and/or a non-contact sensor module, among other modular devices that may be connected to the modular communication hub 203 of the surgical data network 201.

In one aspect, the surgical data network 201 may comprise a combination of network hub(s), network switch(es), and network router(s) connecting the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m to the cloud. Any one of or all of the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m coupled to the network hub or network switch may collect data in real time and transfer the data to cloud computers for data processing and manipulation. It will be appreciated that cloud computing relies on sharing computing resources rather than having local servers or personal devices to handle software applications. The word “cloud” may be used as a metaphor for “the Internet,” although the term is not limited as such. Accordingly, the term “cloud computing” may be used herein to refer to “a type of Internet-based computing,” where different services—such as servers, storage, and applications—are delivered to the modular communication hub 203 and/or computer system 210 located in the surgical theater (e.g., a fixed, mobile, temporary, or field operating room or space) and to devices connected to the modular communication hub 203 and/or computer system 210 through the Internet. The cloud infrastructure may be maintained by a cloud service provider. In this context, the cloud service provider may be the entity that coordinates the usage and control of the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m located in one or more operating theaters. The cloud computing services can perform a large number of calculations based on the data gathered by smart surgical instruments, robots, and other computerized devices located in the operating theater. Surgical hub hardware enables multiple devices or connections to be connected to a computer that communicates with the cloud computing resources and storage.

Applying cloud computer data processing techniques on the data collected by the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m, the surgical data network provides improved surgical outcomes, reduced costs, and improved patient satisfaction. At least some of the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m may be employed to view tissue states to assess leaks or perfusion of sealed tissue after a tissue sealing and cutting procedure. At least some of the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m may be employed to identify pathology, such as the effects of diseases, using the cloud-based computing to examine data including images of samples of body tissue for diagnostic purposes. This includes localization and margin confirmation of tissue and phenotypes. At least some of the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m may be employed to identify anatomical structures of the body using a variety of sensors integrated with imaging devices and techniques such as overlaying images captured by multiple imaging devices. The data gathered by the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m, including image data, may be transferred to the cloud 204 or the local computer system 210 or both for data processing and manipulation including image processing and manipulation. The data may be analyzed to improve surgical procedure outcomes by determining if further treatment, such as the application of endoscopic intervention, emerging technologies, a targeted radiation, targeted intervention, and precise robotics to tissue-specific sites and conditions, may be pursued. Such data analysis may further employ outcome analytics processing, and using standardized approaches may provide beneficial feedback to either confirm surgical treatments and the behavior of the surgeon or suggest modifications to surgical treatments and the behavior of the surgeon.

In one implementation, the operating theater devices 1 a-1 n may be connected to the modular communication hub 203 over a wired channel or a wireless channel depending on the configuration of the devices 1 a-1 n to a network hub. The network hub 207 may be implemented, in one aspect, as a local network broadcast device that works on the physical layer of the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model. The network hub provides connectivity to the devices 1 a-1 n located in the same operating theater network. The network hub 207 collects data in the form of packets and sends them to the router in half duplex mode. The network hub 207 does not store any media access control/Internet protocol (MAC/IP) to transfer the device data. Only one of the devices 1 a-1 n can send data at a time through the network hub 207. The network hub 207 has no routing tables or intelligence regarding where to send information and broadcasts all network data across each connection and to a remote server 213 (FIG. 9) over the cloud 204. The network hub 207 can detect basic network errors such as collisions, but having all information broadcast to multiple ports can be a security risk and cause bottlenecks.

In another implementation, the operating theater devices 2 a-2 m may be connected to a network switch 209 over a wired channel or a wireless channel. The network switch 209 works in the data link layer of the OSI model. The network switch 209 is a multicast device for connecting the devices 2 a-2 m located in the same operating theater to the network. The network switch 209 sends data in the form of frames to the network router 211 and works in full duplex mode. Multiple devices 2 a-2 m can send data at the same time through the network switch 209. The network switch 209 stores and uses MAC addresses of the devices 2 a-2 m to transfer data.

The network hub 207 and/or the network switch 209 are coupled to the network router 211 for connection to the cloud 204. The network router 211 works in the network layer of the OSI model. The network router 211 creates a route for transmitting data packets received from the network hub 207 and/or network switch 211 to cloud-based computer resources for further processing and manipulation of the data collected by any one of or all the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m. The network router 211 may be employed to connect two or more different networks located in different locations, such as, for example, different operating theaters of the same healthcare facility or different networks located in different operating theaters of different healthcare facilities. The network router 211 sends data in the form of packets to the cloud 204 and works in full duplex mode. Multiple devices can send data at the same time. The network router 211 uses IP addresses to transfer data.

In one example, the network hub 207 may be implemented as a USB hub, which allows multiple USB devices to be connected to a host computer. The USB hub may expand a single USB port into several tiers so that there are more ports available to connect devices to the host system computer. The network hub 207 may include wired or wireless capabilities to receive information over a wired channel or a wireless channel. In one aspect, a wireless USB short-range, high-bandwidth wireless radio communication protocol may be employed for communication between the devices 1 a-1 n and devices 2 a-2 m located in the operating theater.

In other examples, the operating theater devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m may communicate to the modular communication hub 203 via Bluetooth wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances (using short-wavelength UHF radio waves in the ISM band from 2.4 to 2.485 GHz) from fixed and mobile devices and building personal area networks (PANs). In other aspects, the operating theater devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m may communicate to the modular communication hub 203 via a number of wireless or wired communication standards or protocols, including but not limited to Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 family), WiMAX (IEEE 802.16 family), IEEE 802.20, long-term evolution (LIE), and Ev-DO, HSPA+, HSDPA+, HSUPA+, EDGE, GSM, GPRS, CDMA, TDMA, DECT, and Ethernet derivatives thereof, as well as any other wireless and wired protocols that are designated as 3G, 4G, 5G, and beyond. The computing module may include a plurality of communication modules. For instance, a first communication module may be dedicated to shorter-range wireless communications such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and a second communication module may be dedicated to longer-range wireless communications such as GPS, EDGE, GPRS, CDMA, WiMAX, LTE, Ev-DO, and others.

The modular communication hub 203 may serve as a central connection for one or all of the operating theater devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m and handles a data type known as frames. Frames carry the data generated by the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m. When a frame is received by the modular communication hub 203, it is amplified and transmitted to the network router 211, which transfers the data to the cloud computing resources by using a number of wireless or wired communication standards or protocols, as described herein.

The modular communication hub 203 can be used as a standalone device or be connected to compatible network hubs and network switches to form a larger network. The modular communication hub 203 is generally easy to install, configure, and maintain, making it a good option for networking the operating theater devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m.

FIG. 9 illustrates a computer-implemented interactive surgical system 200. The computer-implemented interactive surgical system 200 is similar in many respects to the computer-implemented interactive surgical system 100. For example, the computer-implemented interactive surgical system 200 includes one or more surgical systems 202, which are similar in many respects to the surgical systems 102. Each surgical system 202 includes at least one surgical hub 206 in communication with a cloud 204 that may include a remote server 213. In one aspect, the computer-implemented interactive surgical system 200 comprises a modular control tower 236 connected to multiple operating theater devices such as, for example, intelligent surgical instruments, robots, and other computerized devices located in the operating theater. As shown in FIG. 10, the modular control tower 236 comprises a modular communication hub 203 coupled to a computer system 210. As illustrated in the example of FIG. 9, the modular control tower 236 is coupled to an imaging module 238 that is coupled to an endoscope 239, a generator module 240 that is coupled to an energy device 241, a smoke evacuation module 226, a suction/irrigation module 228, a communication module 230, a processor module 232, a storage array 234, a smart device/instrument 235 optionally coupled to a display 237, and a non-contact sensor module 242. The operating theater devices are coupled to cloud computing resources and data storage via the modular control tower 236. A robot hub 222 also may be connected to the modular control tower 236 and to the cloud computing resources. The devices/instruments 235, visualization system 208, among others, may be coupled to the modular control tower 236 via wired or wireless communication standards or protocols, as described herein. The modular control tower 236 may be coupled to a surgical hub display 215 (e.g., monitor, screen) to display and overlay images received from the imaging module, device/instrument display, and/or other visualization system 208. Surgical hub display also may display data received from devices connected to the modular control tower in conjunction with images and overlaid images.

FIG. 10 illustrates a surgical hub 206 comprising a plurality of modules coupled to the modular control tower 236. The modular control tower 236 comprises a modular communication hub 203, e.g., a network connectivity device, and a computer system 210 to provide local processing, visualization, and imaging, for example. As shown in FIG. 10, the modular communication hub 203 may be connected in a tiered configuration to expand the number of modules (e.g., devices) that may be connected to the modular communication hub 203 and transfer data associated with the modules to the computer system 210, cloud computing resources, or both. As shown in FIG. 10, each of the network hubs/switches in the modular communication hub 203 includes three downstream ports and one upstream port. The upstream network hub/switch is connected to a processor to provide a communication connection to the cloud computing resources and a local display 217. Communication to the cloud 204 may be made either through a wired or a wireless communication channel.

The surgical hub 206 employs a non-contact sensor module 242 to measure the dimensions of the operating theater and generate a map of the surgical theater using either ultrasonic or laser-type non-contact measurement devices. An ultrasound-based non-contact sensor module scans the operating theater by transmitting a burst of ultrasound and receiving the echo when it bounces off the perimeter walls of an operating theater as described under the heading “Surgical Hub Spatial Awareness Within an Operating Room” in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/611,341, titled INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM, filed Dec. 28, 2017, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, in which the sensor module is configured to determine the size of the operating theater and to adjust Bluetooth-pairing distance limits. A laser-based non-contact sensor module scans the operating theater by transmitting laser light pulses, receiving laser light pulses that bounce off the perimeter walls of the operating theater, and comparing the phase of the transmitted pulse to the received pulse to determine the size of the operating theater and to adjust Bluetooth pairing distance limits, for example.

The computer system 210 comprises a processor 244 and a network interface 245. The processor 244 is coupled to a communication module 247, storage 248, memory 249, non-volatile memory 250, and input/output interface 251 via a system bus. The system bus can be any of several types of bus structure(s) including the memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus or external bus, and/or a local bus using any variety of available bus architectures including, but not limited to, 9-bit bus, Industrial Standard Architecture (ISA), Micro-Charmel Architecture (MSA), Extended ISA (EISA), Intelligent Drive Electronics (IDE), VESA Local Bus (VLB), Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), USB, Advanced Graphics Port (AGP), Personal Computer Memory Card International Association bus (PCMCIA), Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI), or any other proprietary bus.

The processor 244 may be any single-core or multicore processor such as those known under the trade name ARM Cortex by Texas Instruments. In one aspect, the processor may be an LM4F230H5QR ARM Cortex-M4F Processor Core, available from Texas Instruments, for example, comprising an on-chip memory of 256 KB single-cycle flash memory, or other non-volatile memory, up to 40 MHz, a prefetch buffer to improve performance above 40 MHz, a 32 KB single-cycle serial random access memory (SRAM), an internal read-only memory (ROM) loaded with StellarisWare® software, a 2 KB electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or one or more pulse width modulation (PWM) modules, one or more quadrature encoder inputs (QEI) analogs, one or more 12-bit analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) with 12 analog input channels, details of which are available for the product datasheet.

In one aspect, the processor 244 may comprise a safety controller comprising two controller-based families such as TMS570 and RM4x, known under the trade name Hercules ARM Cortex R4, also by Texas Instruments. The safety controller may be configured specifically for IEC 61508 and ISO 26262 safety critical applications, among others, to provide advanced integrated safety features while delivering scalable performance, connectivity, and memory options.

The system memory includes volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The basic input/output system (BIOS), containing the basic routines to transfer information between elements within the computer system, such as during start-up, is stored in non-volatile memory. For example, the non-volatile memory can include ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), EEPROM, or flash memory. Volatile memory includes random-access memory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory. Moreover, RAM is available in many forms such as SRAM, dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).

The computer system 210 also includes removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer storage media, such as for example disk storage. The disk storage includes, but is not limited to, devices like a magnetic disk drive, floppy disk drive, tape drive, Jaz drive, Zip drive, LS-60 drive, flash memory card, or memory stick. In addition, the disk storage can include storage media separately or in combination with other storage media including, but not limited to, an optical disc drive such as a compact disc ROM device (CD-ROM), compact disc recordable drive (CD-R Drive), compact disc rewritable drive (CD-RW Drive), or a digital versatile disc ROM drive (DVD-ROM). To facilitate the connection of the disk storage devices to the system bus, a removable or non-removable interface may be employed.

It is to be appreciated that the computer system 210 includes software that acts as an intermediary between users and the basic computer resources described in a suitable operating environment. Such software includes an operating system. The operating system, which can be stored on the disk storage, acts to control and allocate resources of the computer system. System applications take advantage of the management of resources by the operating system through program modules and program data stored either in the system memory or on the disk storage. It is to be appreciated that various components described herein can be implemented with various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

A user enters commands or information into the computer system 210 through input device(s) coupled to the I/O interface 251. The input devices include, but are not limited to, a pointing device such as a mouse, trackball, stylus, touch pad, keyboard, microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, TV tuner card, digital camera, digital video camera, web camera, and the like. These and other input devices connect to the processor through the system bus via interface port(s). The interface port(s) include, for example, a serial port, a parallel port, a game port, and a USB. The output device(s) use some of the same types of ports as input device(s). Thus, for example, a USB port may be used to provide input to the computer system and to output information from the computer system to an output device. An output adapter is provided to illustrate that there are some output devices like monitors, displays, speakers, and printers, among other output devices that require special adapters. The output adapters include, by way of illustration and not limitation, video and sound cards that provide a means of connection between the output device and the system bus. It should be noted that other devices and/or systems of devices, such as remote computer(s), provide both input and output capabilities.

The computer system 210 can operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as cloud computer(s), or local computers. The remote cloud computer(s) can be a personal computer, server, router, network PC, workstation, microprocessor-based appliance, peer device, or other common network node, and the like, and typically includes many or all of the elements described relative to the computer system. For purposes of brevity, only a memory storage device is illustrated with the remote computer(s). The remote computer(s) is logically connected to the computer system through a network interface and then physically connected via a communication connection. The network interface encompasses communication networks such as local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs). LAN technologies include Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), Copper Distributed Data Interface (CDDI), Ethernet/IEEE 802.3, Token Ring/IEEE 802.5 and the like. WAN technologies include, but are not limited to, point-to-point links, circuit-switching networks like Integrated Services Digital Networks (ISDN) and variations thereon, packet-switching networks, and Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL).

In various aspects, the computer system 210 of FIG. 10, the imaging module 238 and/or visualization system 208, and/or the processor module 232 of FIGS. 9-10 may comprise an image processor, image processing engine, media processor, or any specialized digital signal processor (DSP) used for the processing of digital images. The image processor may employ parallel computing with single instruction, multiple data (SIMD) or multiple instruction, multiple data (MIMD) technologies to increase speed and efficiency. The digital image processing engine can perform a range of tasks. The image processor may be a system on a chip with multicore processor architecture.

The communication connection(s) refers to the hardware/software employed to connect the network interface to the bus. While the communication connection is shown for illustrative clarity inside the computer system, it can also be external to the computer system 210. The hardware/software necessary for connection to the network interface includes, for illustrative purposes only, internal and external technologies such as modems, including regular telephone-grade modems, cable modems, and DSL modems, ISDN adapters, and Ethernet cards.

FIG. 11 illustrates a functional block diagram of one aspect of a USB network hub 300 device, according to one aspect of the present disclosure. In the illustrated aspect, the USB network hub device 300 employs a TUSB2036 integrated circuit hub by Texas Instruments. The USB network hub 300 is a CMOS device that provides an upstream USB transceiver port 302 and up to three downstream USB transceiver ports 304, 306, 308 in compliance with the USB 2.0 specification. The upstream USB transceiver port 302 is a differential root data port comprising a differential data minus (DM0) input paired with a differential data plus (DP0) input. The three downstream USB transceiver ports 304, 306, 308 are differential data ports where each port includes differential data plus (DP1-DP3) outputs paired with differential data minus (DM1-DM3) outputs.

The USB network hub 300 device is implemented with a digital state machine instead of a microcontroller, and no firmware programming is required. Fully compliant USB transceivers are integrated into the circuit for the upstream USB transceiver port 302 and all downstream USB transceiver ports 304, 306, 308. The downstream USB transceiver ports 304, 306, 308 support both full-speed and low-speed devices by automatically setting the slew rate according to the speed of the device attached to the ports. The USB network hub 300 device may be configured either in bus-powered or self-powered mode and includes a surgical hub power logic 312 to manage power.

The USB network hub 300 device includes a serial interface engine 310 (SIE). The SIE 310 is the front end of the USB network hub 300 hardware and handles most of the protocol described in chapter 8 of the USB specification. The SIE 310 typically comprehends signaling up to the transaction level. The functions that it handles could include: packet recognition, transaction sequencing, SOP, EOP, RESET, and RESUME signal detection/generation, clock/data separation, non-return-to-zero invert (NRZI) data encoding/decoding and bit-stuffing, CRC generation and checking (token and data), packet ID (PID) generation and checking/decoding, and/or serial-parallel/parallel-serial conversion. The SIE 310 receives a clock input 314 and is coupled to a suspend/resume logic and frame timer 316 circuit and a surgical hub repeater circuit 318 to control communication between the upstream USB transceiver port 302 and the downstream USB transceiver ports 304, 306, 308 through port logic circuits 320, 322, 324. The SIE 310 is coupled to a command decoder 326 via interface logic to control commands from a serial EEPROM via a serial EEPROM interface 330.

In various aspects, the USB network hub 300 can connect 127 functions configured in up to six logical layers (tiers) to a single computer. Further, the USB network hub 300 can connect to all peripherals using a standardized four-wire cable that provides both communication and power distribution. The power configurations are bus-powered and self-powered modes. The USB network hub 300 may be configured to support four modes of power management: a bus-powered hub, with either individual-port power management or ganged-port power management, and the self-powered hub, with either individual-port power management or ganged-port power management. In one aspect, using a USB cable, the USB network hub 300, the upstream USB transceiver port 302 is plugged into a USB host controller, and the downstream USB transceiver ports 304, 306, 308 are exposed for connecting USB compatible devices, and so forth.

FIG. 12 illustrates a logic diagram of a control system 470 of a surgical instrument or tool in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The system 470 comprises a control circuit. The control circuit includes a microcontroller 461 comprising a processor 462 and a memory 468. One or more of sensors 472, 474, 476, for example, provide real-time feedback to the processor 462. A motor 482, driven by a motor driver 492, operably couples a longitudinally movable displacement member to drive the I-beam knife element. A tracking system 480 is configured to determine the position of the longitudinally movable displacement member. The position information is provided to the processor 462, which can be programmed or configured to determine the position of the longitudinally movable drive member as well as the position of a firing member, firing bar, and I-beam knife element. Additional motors may be provided at the tool driver interface to control I-beam firing, closure tube travel, shaft rotation, and articulation. A display 473 displays a variety of operating conditions of the instruments and may include touch screen functionality for data input. Information displayed on the display 473 may be overlaid with images acquired via endoscopic imaging modules.

In one aspect, the microcontroller 461 may be any single-core or multicore processor such as those known under the trade name ARM Cortex by Texas Instruments. In one aspect, the main microcontroller 461 may be an LM4F230H5QR ARM Cortex-M4F Processor Core, available from Texas Instruments, for example, comprising an on-chip memory of 256 KB single-cycle flash memory, or other non-volatile memory, up to 40 MHz, a prefetch buffer to improve performance above 40 MHz, a 32 KB single-cycle SRAM, and internal ROM loaded with StellarisWare® software, a 2 KB EEPROM, one or more PWM modules, one or more QEI analogs, and/or one or more 12-bit ADCs with 12 analog input channels, details of which are available for the product datasheet.

In one aspect, the microcontroller 461 may comprise a safety controller comprising two controller-based families such as TMS570 and RM4x, known under the trade name Hercules ARM Cortex R4, also by Texas Instruments. The safety controller may be configured specifically for IEC 61508 and ISO 26262 safety critical applications, among others, to provide advanced integrated safety features while delivering scalable performance, connectivity, and memory options.

The microcontroller 461 may be programmed to perform various functions such as precise control over the speed and position of the knife and articulation systems. In one aspect, the microcontroller 461 includes a processor 462 and a memory 468. The electric motor 482 may be a brushed direct current (DC) motor with a gearbox and mechanical links to an articulation or knife system. In one aspect, a motor driver 492 may be an A3941 available from Allegro Microsystems, Inc. Other motor drivers may be readily substituted for use in the tracking system 480 comprising an absolute positioning system. A detailed description of an absolute positioning system is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0296213, titled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A SURGICAL STAPLING AND CUTTING INSTRUMENT, published on Oct. 19, 2017, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The microcontroller 461 may be programmed to provide precise control over the speed and position of displacement members and articulation systems. The microcontroller 461 may be configured to compute a response in the software of the microcontroller 461. The computed response is compared to a measured response of the actual system to obtain an “observed” response, which is used for actual feedback decisions. The observed response is a favorable, tuned value that balances the smooth, continuous nature of the simulated response with the measured response, which can detect outside influences on the system.

In one aspect, the motor 482 may be controlled by the motor driver 492 and can be employed by the firing system of the surgical instrument or tool. In various forms, the motor 482 may be a brushed DC driving motor having a maximum rotational speed of approximately 25,000 RPM. In other arrangements, the motor 482 may include a brushless motor, a cordless motor, a synchronous motor, a stepper motor, or any other suitable electric motor. The motor driver 492 may comprise an H-bridge driver comprising field-effect transistors (FETs), for example. The motor 482 can be powered by a power assembly releasably mounted to the handle assembly or tool housing for supplying control power to the surgical instrument or tool. The power assembly may comprise a battery that may include a number of battery cells connected in series that can be used as the power source to power the surgical instrument or tool. In certain circumstances, the battery cells of the power assembly may be replaceable and/or rechargeable. In at least one example, the battery cells can be lithium-ion batteries which can be couplable to and separable from the power assembly.

The motor driver 492 may be an A3941 available from Allegro Microsystems, Inc. The A3941 motor 492 is a full-bridge controller for use with external N-channel power metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) specifically designed for inductive loads, such as brush DC motors. The driver 492 comprises a unique charge pump regulator that provides full (>10 V) gate drive for battery voltages down to 7 V and allows the A3941 to operate with a reduced gate drive, down to 5.5 V. A bootstrap capacitor may be employed to provide the above battery supply voltage required for N-channel MOSFETs. An internal charge pump for the high-side drive allows DC (100% duty cycle) operation. The full bridge can be driven in fast or slow decay modes using diode or synchronous rectification. In the slow decay mode, current recirculation can be through the high-side or the lowside FETs. The power FETs are protected from shoot-through by resistor-adjustable dead time. Integrated diagnostics provide indications of undervoltage, overtemperature, and power bridge faults and can be configured to protect the power MOSFETs under most short circuit conditions. Other motor drivers may be readily substituted for use in the tracking system 480 comprising an absolute positioning system.

The tracking system 480 comprises a controlled motor drive circuit arrangement comprising a position sensor 472 according to one aspect of this disclosure. The position sensor 472 for an absolute positioning system provides a unique position signal corresponding to the location of a displacement member. In one aspect, the displacement member represents a longitudinally movable drive member comprising a rack of drive teeth for meshing engagement with a corresponding drive gear of a gear reducer assembly. In other aspects, the displacement member represents the firing member, which could be adapted and configured to include a rack of drive teeth. In yet another aspect, the displacement member represents a firing bar or the I-beam, each of which can be adapted and configured to include a rack of drive teeth. Accordingly, as used herein, the term displacement member is used generically to refer to any movable member of the surgical instrument or tool such as the drive member, the firing member, the firing bar, the I-beam, or any element that can be displaced. In one aspect, the longitudinally movable drive member is coupled to the firing member, the firing bar, and the I-beam. Accordingly, the absolute positioning system can, in effect, track the linear displacement of the I-beam by tracking the linear displacement of the longitudinally movable drive member. In various other aspects, the displacement member may be coupled to any position sensor 472 suitable for measuring linear displacement. Thus, the longitudinally movable drive member, the firing member, the firing bar, or the I-beam, or combinations thereof, may be coupled to any suitable linear displacement sensor. Linear displacement sensors may include contact or non-contact displacement sensors. Linear displacement sensors may comprise linear variable differential transformers (LVDT), differential variable reluctance transducers (DVRT), a slide potentiometer, a magnetic sensing system comprising a movable magnet and a series of linearly arranged Hall-effect sensors, a magnetic sensing system comprising a fixed magnet and a series of movable, linearly arranged Hall-effect sensors, an optical sensing system comprising a movable light source and a series of linearly arranged photo diodes or photo detectors, an optical sensing system comprising a fixed light source and a series of movable linearly, arranged photo diodes or photo detectors, or any combination thereof.

The electric motor 482 can include a rotatable shaft that operably interfaces with a gear assembly that is mounted in meshing engagement with a set, or rack of drive teeth on the displacement member. A sensor element may be operably coupled to a gear assembly such that a single revolution of the position sensor 472 element corresponds to some linear longitudinal translation of the displacement member. An arrangement of gearing and sensors can be connected to the linear actuator, via a rack and pinion arrangement, or a rotary actuator, via a spur gear or other connection. A power source supplies power to the absolute positioning system and an output indicator may display the output of the absolute positioning system. The displacement member represents the longitudinally movable drive member comprising a rack of drive teeth formed thereon for meshing engagement with a corresponding drive gear of the gear reducer assembly. The displacement member represents the longitudinally movable firing member, firing bar, I-beam, or combinations thereof.

A single revolution of the sensor element associated with the position sensor 472 is equivalent to a longitudinal linear displacement d1 of the of the displacement member, where d1 is the longitudinal linear distance that the displacement member moves from point “a” to point “b” after a single revolution of the sensor element coupled to the displacement member. The sensor arrangement may be connected via a gear reduction that results in the position sensor 472 completing one or more revolutions for the full stroke of the displacement member. The position sensor 472 may complete multiple revolutions for the full stroke of the displacement member.

A series of switches, where n is an integer greater than one, may be employed alone or in combination with a gear reduction to provide a unique position signal for more than one revolution of the position sensor 472. The state of the switches are fed back to the microcontroller 461 that applies logic to determine a unique position signal corresponding to the longitudinal linear displacement d1+d2+ . . . d_(n) of the displacement member. The output of the position sensor 472 is provided to the microcontroller 461. The position sensor 472 of the sensor arrangement may comprise a magnetic sensor, an analog rotary sensor like a potentiometer, or an array of analog Hall-effect elements, which output a unique combination of position signals or values.

The position sensor 472 may comprise any number of magnetic sensing elements, such as, for example, magnetic sensors classified according to whether they measure the total magnetic field or the vector components of the magnetic field. The techniques used to produce both types of magnetic sensors encompass many aspects of physics and electronics. The technologies used for magnetic field sensing include search coil, fluxgate, optically pumped, nuclear precession, SQUID, Hall-effect, anisotropic magnetoresistance, giant magnetoresistance, magnetic tunnel junctions, giant magnetoimpedance, magnetostrictive/piezoelectric composites, magnetodiode, magnetotransistor, fiber-optic, magneto-optic, and microelectromechanical systems-based magnetic sensors, among others.

In one aspect, the position sensor 472 for the tracking system 480 comprising an absolute positioning system comprises a magnetic rotary absolute positioning system. The position sensor 472 may be implemented as an AS5055EQFT single-chip magnetic rotary position sensor available from Austria Microsystems, AG. The position sensor 472 is interfaced with the microcontroller 461 to provide an absolute positioning system. The position sensor 472 is a low-voltage and low-power component and includes four Hall-effect elements in an area of the position sensor 472 that is located above a magnet. A high-resolution ADC and a smart power management controller are also provided on the chip. A coordinate rotation digital computer (CORDIC) processor, also known as the digit-by-digit method and Volder's algorithm, is provided to implement a simple and efficient algorithm to calculate hyperbolic and trigonometric functions that require only addition, subtraction, bitshift, and table lookup operations. The angle position, alarm bits, and magnetic field information are transmitted over a standard serial communication interface, such as a serial peripheral interface (SPI) interface, to the microcontroller 461. The position sensor 472 provides 12 or 14 bits of resolution. The position sensor 472 may be an AS5055 chip provided in a small QFN 16-pin 4×4×0.85 mm package.

The tracking system 480 comprising an absolute positioning system may comprise and/or be programmed to implement a feedback controller, such as a PID, state feedback, and adaptive controller. A power source converts the signal from the feedback controller into a physical input to the system: in this case the voltage. Other examples include a PWM of the voltage, current, and force. Other sensor(s) may be provided to measure physical parameters of the physical system in addition to the position measured by the position sensor 472. In some aspects, the other sensor(s) can include sensor arrangements such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,345,481, titled STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, which issued on May 24, 2016, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263552, titled STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, published on Sep. 18, 2014, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/628,175, titled TECHNIQUES FOR ADAPTIVE CONTROL OF MOTOR VELOCITY OF A SURGICAL STAPLING AND CUTTING INSTRUMENT, filed Jun. 20, 2017, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. In a digital signal processing system, an absolute positioning system is coupled to a digital data acquisition system where the output of the absolute positioning system will have a finite resolution and sampling frequency. The absolute positioning system may comprise a compare-and-combine circuit to combine a computed response with a measured response using algorithms, such as a weighted average and a theoretical control loop, that drive the computed response towards the measured response. The computed response of the physical system takes into account properties like mass, inertial, viscous friction, inductance resistance, etc., to predict what the states and outputs of the physical system will be by knowing the input.

The absolute positioning system provides an absolute position of the displacement member upon power-up of the instrument, without retracting or advancing the displacement member to a reset position (zero or home) as may be required with conventional rotary encoders that merely count the number of steps forwards or backwards that the motor 482 has taken to infer the position of a device actuator, drive bar, knife, or the like.

A sensor 474, such as, for example, a strain gauge or a micro-strain gauge, is configured to measure one or more parameters of the end effector, such as, for example, the amplitude of the strain exerted on the anvil during a clamping operation, which can be indicative of the closure forces applied to the anvil. The measured strain is converted to a digital signal and provided to the processor 462. Alternatively, or in addition to the sensor 474, a sensor 476, such as, for example, a load sensor, can measure the closure force applied by the closure drive system to the anvil. The sensor 476, such as, for example, a load sensor, can measure the firing force applied to an I-beam in a firing stroke of the surgical instrument or tool. The I-beam is configured to engage a wedge sled, which is configured to upwardly cam staple drivers to force out staples into deforming contact with an anvil. The I-beam also includes a sharpened cutting edge that can be used to sever tissue as the I-beam is advanced distally by the firing bar. Alternatively, a current sensor 478 can be employed to measure the current drawn by the motor 482. The force required to advance the firing member can correspond to the current drawn by the motor 482, for example. The measured force is converted to a digital signal and provided to the processor 462.

In one form, the strain gauge sensor 474 can be used to measure the force applied to the tissue by the end effector. A strain gauge can be coupled to the end effector to measure the force on the tissue being treated by the end effector. A system for measuring forces applied to the tissue grasped by the end effector comprises a strain gauge sensor 474, such as, for example, a micro-strain gauge, that is configured to measure one or more parameters of the end effector, for example. In one aspect, the strain gauge sensor 474 can measure the amplitude or magnitude of the strain exerted on a jaw member of an end effector during a clamping operation, which can be indicative of the tissue compression. The measured strain is converted to a digital signal and provided to a processor 462 of the microcontroller 461. A load sensor 476 can measure the force used to operate the knife element, for example, to cut the tissue captured between the anvil and the staple cartridge. A magnetic field sensor can be employed to measure the thickness of the captured tissue. The measurement of the magnetic field sensor also may be converted to a digital signal and provided to the processor 462.

The measurements of the tissue compression, the tissue thickness, and/or the force required to close the end effector on the tissue, as respectively measured by the sensors 474, 476, can be used by the microcontroller 461 to characterize the selected position of the firing member and/or the corresponding value of the speed of the firing member. In one instance, a memory 468 may store a technique, an equation, and/or a lookup table which can be employed by the microcontroller 461 in the assessment.

The control system 470 of the surgical instrument or tool also may comprise wired or wireless communication circuits to communicate with the modular communication hub as shown in FIGS. 8-11.

FIG. 13 illustrates a control circuit 500 configured to control aspects of the surgical instrument or tool according to one aspect of this disclosure. The control circuit 500 can be configured to implement various processes described herein. The control circuit 500 may comprise a microcontroller comprising one or more processors 502 (e.g., microprocessor, microcontroller) coupled to at least one memory circuit 504. The memory circuit 504 stores machine-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor 502, cause the processor 502 to execute machine instructions to implement various processes described herein. The processor 502 may be any one of a number of single-core or multicore processors known in the art. The memory circuit 504 may comprise volatile and non-volatile storage media. The processor 502 may include an instruction processing unit 506 and an arithmetic unit 508. The instruction processing unit may be configured to receive instructions from the memory circuit 504 of this disclosure.

FIG. 14 illustrates a combinational logic circuit 510 configured to control aspects of the surgical instrument or tool according to one aspect of this disclosure. The combinational logic circuit 510 can be configured to implement various processes described herein. The combinational logic circuit 510 may comprise a finite state machine comprising a combinational logic 512 configured to receive data associated with the surgical instrument or tool at an input 514, process the data by the combinational logic 512, and provide an output 516.

FIG. 15 illustrates a sequential logic circuit 520 configured to control aspects of the surgical instrument or tool according to one aspect of this disclosure. The sequential logic circuit 520 or the combinational logic 522 can be configured to implement various processes described herein. The sequential logic circuit 520 may comprise a finite state machine. The sequential logic circuit 520 may comprise a combinational logic 522, at least one memory circuit 524, and a clock 529, for example. The at least one memory circuit 524 can store a current state of the finite state machine. In certain instances, the sequential logic circuit 520 may be synchronous or asynchronous. The combinational logic 522 is configured to receive data associated with the surgical instrument or tool from an input 526, process the data by the combinational logic 522, and provide an output 528. In other aspects, the circuit may comprise a combination of a processor (e.g., processor 502, FIG. 13) and a finite state machine to implement various processes herein. In other aspects, the finite state machine may comprise a combination of a combinational logic circuit (e.g., combinational logic circuit 510, FIG. 14) and the sequential logic circuit 520.

FIG. 16 illustrates a surgical instrument or tool comprising a plurality of motors that can be activated to perform various functions. In certain instances, a first motor can be activated to perform a first function, a second motor can be activated to perform a second function, a third motor can be activated to perform a third function, a fourth motor can be activated to perform a fourth function, and so on. In certain instances, the plurality of motors of robotic surgical instrument 600 can be individually activated to cause firing, closure, and/or articulation motions in the end effector. The firing, closure, and/or articulation motions can be transmitted to the end effector through a shaft assembly, for example.

In certain instances, the surgical instrument system or tool may include a firing motor 602. The firing motor 602 may be operably coupled to a firing motor drive assembly 604, which can be configured to transmit firing motions, generated by the firing motor 602 to the end effector, in particular to displace the I-beam element. In certain instances, the firing motions generated by the firing motor 602 may cause the staples to be deployed from the staple cartridge into tissue captured by the end effector and/or the cutting edge of the I-beam element to be advanced to cut the captured tissue, for example. The I-beam element may be retracted by reversing the direction of the firing motor 602.

In certain instances, the surgical instrument or tool may include a closure motor 603. The closure motor 603 may be operably coupled to a closure motor drive assembly 605 which can be configured to transmit closure motions, generated by the motor 603 to the end effector, in particular to displace a closure tube to close the anvil and compress tissue between the anvil and the staple cartridge. The closure motions may cause the end effector to transition from an open configuration to an approximated configuration to capture tissue, for example. The end effector may be transitioned to an open position by reversing the direction of the motor 603.

In certain instances, the surgical instrument or tool may include one or more articulation motors 606 a, 606 b, for example. The motors articulation 606 a, 606 b may be operably coupled to respective articulation motor drive assemblies 608 a, 608 b, which can be configured to transmit articulation motions generated by the articulation motors 606 a, 606 b to the end effector. In certain instances, the articulation motions may cause the end effector to articulate relative to the shaft, for example.

As described above, the surgical instrument or tool may include a plurality of motors that may be configured to perform various independent functions. In certain instances, the plurality of motors of the surgical instrument or tool can be individually or separately activated to perform one or more functions while the other motors remain inactive. For example, the articulation motors 606 a, 606 b can be activated to cause the end effector to be articulated while the firing motor 602 remains inactive. Alternatively, the firing motor 602 can be activated to fire the plurality of staples, and/or to advance the cutting edge, while the articulation motor 606 remains inactive. Furthermore the closure motor 603 may be activated simultaneously with the firing motor 602 to cause the closure tube and the I-beam element to advance distally as described in more detail hereinbelow.

In certain instances, the surgical instrument or tool may include a common control module 610, which can be employed with a plurality of motors of the surgical instrument or tool. In certain instances, the common control module 610 may accommodate one of the plurality of motors at a time. For example, the common control module 610 can be couplable to and separable from the plurality of motors of the robotic surgical instrument individually. In certain instances, a plurality of the motors of the surgical instrument or tool may share one or more common control modules such as the common control module 610. In certain instances, a plurality of motors of the surgical instrument or tool can be individually and selectively engaged with the common control module 610. In certain instances, the common control module 610 can be selectively switched from interfacing with one of a plurality of motors of the surgical instrument or tool to interfacing with another one of the plurality of motors of the surgical instrument or tool.

In at least one example, the common control module 610 can be selectively switched between operable engagement with the articulation motors 606 a, 606 b and operable engagement with either the firing motor 602 or the closure motor 603. In at least one example, as illustrated in FIG. 16, a switch 614 can be moved or transitioned between a plurality of positions and/or states. In a first position 616, the switch 614 may electrically couple the common control module 610 to the firing motor 602; in a second position 617, the switch 614 may electrically couple the common control module 610 to the closure motor 603; in a third position 618 a, the switch 614 may electrically couple the common control module 610 to the first articulation motor 606 a; and in a fourth position 618 b, the switch 614 may electrically couple the common control module 610 to the second articulation motor 606 b, for example. In certain instances, separate common control modules 610 can be electrically coupled to the firing motor 602, the closure motor 603, and the articulation motors 606 a, 606 b at the same time. In certain instances, the switch 614 may be a mechanical switch, an electromechanical switch, a solid-state switch, or any suitable switching mechanism.

Each of the motors 602, 603, 606 a, 606 b may comprise a torque sensor to measure the output torque on the shaft of the motor. The force on an end effector may be sensed in any conventional manner, such as by force sensors on the outer sides of the jaws or by a torque sensor for the motor actuating the jaws.

In various instances, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the common control module 610 may comprise a motor driver 626 which may comprise one or more H-Bridge FETs. The motor driver 626 may modulate the power transmitted from a power source 628 to a motor coupled to the common control module 610 based on input from a microcontroller 620 (the “controller”), for example. In certain instances, the microcontroller 620 can be employed to determine the current drawn by the motor, for example, while the motor is coupled to the common control module 610, as described above.

In certain instances, the microcontroller 620 may include a microprocessor 622 (the “processor”) and one or more non-transitory computer-readable mediums or memory units 624 (the “memory”). In certain instances, the memory 624 may store various program instructions, which when executed may cause the processor 622 to perform a plurality of functions and/or calculations described herein. In certain instances, one or more of the memory units 624 may be coupled to the processor 622, for example.

In certain instances, the power source 628 can be employed to supply power to the microcontroller 620, for example. In certain instances, the power source 628 may comprise a battery (or “battery pack” or “power pack”), such as a lithium-ion battery, for example. In certain instances, the battery pack may be configured to be releasably mounted to a handle for supplying power to the surgical instrument 600. A number of battery cells connected in series may be used as the power source 628. In certain instances, the power source 628 may be replaceable and/or rechargeable, for example.

In various instances, the processor 622 may control the motor driver 626 to control the position, direction of rotation, and/or velocity of a motor that is coupled to the common control module 610. In certain instances, the processor 622 can signal the motor driver 626 to stop and/or disable a motor that is coupled to the common control module 610. It should be understood that the term “processor” as used herein includes any suitable microprocessor, microcontroller, or other basic computing device that incorporates the functions of a computer's central processing unit (CPU) on an integrated circuit or, at most, a few integrated circuits. The processor is a multipurpose, programmable device that accepts digital data as input, processes it according to instructions stored in its memory, and provides results as output. It is an example of sequential digital logic, as it has internal memory. Processors operate on numbers and symbols represented in the binary numeral system.

In one instance, the processor 622 may be any single-core or multicore processor such as those known under the trade name ARM Cortex by Texas Instruments. In certain instances, the microcontroller 620 may be an LM 4F230H5QR, available from Texas Instruments, for example. In at least one example, the Texas Instruments LM4F230H5QR is an ARM Cortex-M4F Processor Core comprising an on-chip memory of 256 KB single-cycle flash memory, or other NVM, up to 40 MHz, a prefetch buffer to improve performance above 40 MHz, a 32 KB single-cycle SRAM, an internal ROM loaded with StellarisWare® software, a 2 KB EEPROM, one or more PWM modules, one or more QEI analogs, one or more 12-bit ADCs with 12 analog input channels, among other features that are readily available for the product datasheet. Other microcontrollers may be readily substituted for use with the module 4410. Accordingly, the present disclosure should not be limited in this context.

In certain instances, the memory 624 may include program instructions for controlling each of the motors of the surgical instrument 600 that are couplable to the common control module 610. For example, the memory 624 may include program instructions for controlling the firing motor 602, the closure motor 603, and the articulation motors 606 a, 606 b. Such program instructions may cause the processor 622 to control the firing, closure, and articulation functions in accordance with inputs from algorithms or control programs of the surgical instrument or tool.

In certain instances, one or more mechanisms and/or sensors such as, for example, sensors 630 can be employed to alert the processor 622 to the program instructions that should be used in a particular setting. For example, the sensors 630 may alert the processor 622 to use the program instructions associated with firing, closing, and articulating the end effector. In certain instances, the sensors 630 may comprise position sensors which can be employed to sense the position of the switch 614, for example. Accordingly, the processor 622 may use the program instructions associated with firing the I-beam of the end effector upon detecting, through the sensors 630 for example, that the switch 614 is in the first position 616; the processor 622 may use the program instructions associated with closing the anvil upon detecting, through the sensors 630 for example, that the switch 614 is in the second position 617; and the processor 622 may use the program instructions associated with articulating the end effector upon detecting, through the sensors 630 for example, that the switch 614 is in the third or fourth positions 618 a, 618 b.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a robotic surgical instrument 700 configured to operate a surgical tool described herein according to one aspect of this disclosure. The robotic surgical instrument 700 may be programmed or configured to control distal/proximal translation of a displacement member, distal/proximal displacement of a closure tube, shaft rotation, and articulation, either with single or multiple articulation drive links. In one aspect, the surgical instrument 700 may be programmed or configured to individually control a firing member, a closure member, a shaft member, and/or one or more articulation members. The surgical instrument 700 comprises a control circuit 710 configured to control motor-driven firing members, closure members, shaft members, and/or one or more articulation members.

In one aspect, the robotic surgical instrument 700 comprises a control circuit 710 configured to control an anvil 716 and an I-beam 714 (including a sharp cutting edge) portion of an end effector 702, a removable staple cartridge 718, a shaft 740, and one or more articulation members 742 a, 742 b via a plurality of motors 704 a-704 e. A position sensor 734 may be configured to provide position feedback of the I-beam 714 to the control circuit 710. Other sensors 738 may be configured to provide feedback to the control circuit 710. A timer/counter 731 provides timing and counting information to the control circuit 710. An energy source 712 may be provided to operate the motors 704 a-704 e, and a current sensor 736 provides motor current feedback to the control circuit 710. The motors 704 a-704 e can be operated individually by the control circuit 710 in an open-loop or closed-loop feedback control.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 may comprise one or more microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other suitable processors for executing instructions that cause the processor or processors to perform one or more tasks. In one aspect, a timer/counter 731 provides an output signal, such as the elapsed time or a digital count, to the control circuit 710 to correlate the position of the I-beam 714 as determined by the position sensor 734 with the output of the timer/counter 731 such that the control circuit 710 can determine the position of the I-beam 714 at a specific time (t) relative to a starting position or the time (t) when the I-beam 714 is at a specific position relative to a starting position. The timer/counter 731 may be configured to measure elapsed time, count external events, or time external events.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 may be programmed to control functions of the end effector 702 based on one or more tissue conditions. The control circuit 710 may be programmed to sense tissue conditions, such as thickness, either directly or indirectly, as described herein. The control circuit 710 may be programmed to select a firing control program or closure control program based on tissue conditions. A firing control program may describe the distal motion of the displacement member. Different firing control programs may be selected to better treat different tissue conditions. For example, when thicker tissue is present, the control circuit 710 may be programmed to translate the displacement member at a lower velocity and/or with lower power. When thinner tissue is present, the control circuit 710 may be programmed to translate the displacement member at a higher velocity and/or with higher power. A closure control program may control the closure force applied to the tissue by the anvil 716. Other control programs control the rotation of the shaft 740 and the articulation members 742 a, 742 b.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 may generate motor set point signals. The motor set point signals may be provided to various motor controllers 708 a-708 e. The motor controllers 708 a-708 e may comprise one or more circuits configured to provide motor drive signals to the motors 704 a-704 e to drive the motors 704 a-704 e as described herein. In some examples, the motors 704 a-704 e may be brushed DC electric motors. For example, the velocity of the motors 704 a-704 e may be proportional to the respective motor drive signals. In some examples, the motors 704 a-704 e may be brushless DC electric motors, and the respective motor drive signals may comprise a PWM signal provided to one or more stator windings of the motors 704 a-704 e. Also, in some examples, the motor controllers 708 a-708 e may be omitted and the control circuit 710 may generate the motor drive signals directly.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 may initially operate each of the motors 704 a-704 e in an open-loop configuration for a first open-loop portion of a stroke of the displacement member. Based on the response of the robotic surgical instrument 700 during the open-loop portion of the stroke, the control circuit 710 may select a firing control program in a closed-loop configuration. The response of the instrument may include a translation distance of the displacement member during the open-loop portion, a time elapsed during the open-loop portion, the energy provided to one of the motors 704 a-704 e during the open-loop portion, a sum of pulse widths of a motor drive signal, etc. After the open-loop portion, the control circuit 710 may implement the selected firing control program for a second portion of the displacement member stroke. For example, during a closed-loop portion of the stroke, the control circuit 710 may modulate one of the motors 704 a-704 e based on translation data describing a position of the displacement member in a closed-loop manner to translate the displacement member at a constant velocity.

In one aspect, the motors 704 a-704 e may receive power from an energy source 712. The energy source 712 may be a DC power supply driven by a main alternating current power source, a battery, a super capacitor, or any other suitable energy source. The motors 704 a-704 e may be mechanically coupled to individual movable mechanical elements such as the I-beam 714, anvil 716, shaft 740, articulation 742 a, and articulation 742 b via respective transmissions 706 a-706 e. The transmissions 706 a-706 e may include one or more gears or other linkage components to couple the motors 704 a-704 e to movable mechanical elements. A position sensor 734 may sense a position of the I-beam 714. The position sensor 734 may be or include any type of sensor that is capable of generating position data that indicate a position of the I-beam 714. In some examples, the position sensor 734 may include an encoder configured to provide a series of pulses to the control circuit 710 as the I-beam 714 translates distally and proximally. The control circuit 710 may track the pulses to determine the position of the I-beam 714. Other suitable position sensors may be used, including, for example, a proximity sensor. Other types of position sensors may provide other signals indicating motion of the I-beam 714. Also, in some examples, the position sensor 734 may be omitted. Where any of the motors 704 a-704 e is a stepper motor, the control circuit 710 may track the position of the I-beam 714 by aggregating the number and direction of steps that the motor 704 has been instructed to execute. The position sensor 734 may be located in the end effector 702 or at any other portion of the instrument. The outputs of each of the motors 704 a-704 e include a torque sensors 744 a-744 e to sense force and have an encoder to sense rotation of the drive shaft.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 is configured to drive a firing member such as the I-beam 714 portion of the end effector 702. The control circuit 710 provides a motor set point to a motor control 708 a, which provides a drive signal to the motor 704 a. The output shaft of the motor 704 a is coupled to a torque sensor 744 a. The torque sensor 744 a is coupled to a transmission 706 a, which is coupled to the I-beam 714. The transmission 706 a comprises movable mechanical elements such as rotating elements and a firing member to control the movement of the I-beam 714 distally and proximally along a longitudinal axis of the end effector 702. In one aspect, the motor 704 a may be coupled to the knife gear assembly, which includes a knife gear reduction set that includes a first knife drive gear and a second knife drive gear. A torque sensor 744 a provides a firing force feedback signal to the control circuit 710. The firing force signal represents the force required to fire or displace the I-beam 714. A position sensor 734 may be configured to provide the position of the I-beam 714 along the firing stroke or the position of the firing member as a feedback signal to the control circuit 710. The end effector 702 may include additional sensors 738 configured to provide feedback signals to the control circuit 710. When ready to use, the control circuit 710 may provide a firing signal to the motor control 708 a. In response to the firing signal, the motor 704 a may drive the firing member distally along the longitudinal axis of the end effector 702 from a proximal stroke start position to a stroke end position distal to the stroke start position. As the firing member translates distally, an I-beam 714, with a cutting element positioned at a distal end, advances distally to cut tissue located between the staple cartridge 718 and the anvil 716.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 is configured to drive a closure member such as the anvil 716 portion of the end effector 702. The control circuit 710 provides a motor set point to a motor control 708 b, which provides a drive signal to the motor 704 b. The output shaft of the motor 704 b is coupled to a torque sensor 744 b. The torque sensor 744 b is coupled to a transmission 706 b which is coupled to the anvil 716. The transmission 706 b comprises movable mechanical elements such as rotating elements and a closure member to control the movement of the anvil 716 from the open and closed positions. In one aspect, the motor 704 b is coupled to a closure gear assembly, which includes a closure reduction gear set that is supported in meshing engagement with the closure spur gear. The torque sensor 744 b provides a closure force feedback signal to the control circuit 710. The closure force feedback signal represents the closure force applied to the anvil 716. The position sensor 734 may be configured to provide the position of the closure member as a feedback signal to the control circuit 710. Additional sensors 738 in the end effector 702 may provide the closure force feedback signal to the control circuit 710. The pivotable anvil 716 is positioned opposite the staple cartridge 718. When ready to use, the control circuit 710 may provide a closure signal to the motor control 708 b. In response to the closure signal, the motor 704 b advances a closure member to grasp tissue between the anvil 716 and the staple cartridge 718.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 is configured to rotate a shaft member such as the shaft 740 to rotate the end effector 702. The control circuit 710 provides a motor set point to a motor control 708 c, which provides a drive signal to the motor 704 c. The output shaft of the motor 704 c is coupled to a torque sensor 744 c. The torque sensor 744 c is coupled to a transmission 706 c, which is coupled to the shaft 740. The transmission 706 c comprises movable mechanical elements such as rotating elements to control the rotation of the shaft 740 clockwise or counterclockwise up to and over 360°. In one aspect, the motor 704 c is coupled to the rotational transmission assembly, which includes a tube gear segment that is formed on (or attached to) the proximal end of the proximal closure tube for operable engagement by a rotational gear assembly that is operably supported on the tool mounting plate. The torque sensor 744 c provides a rotation force feedback signal to the control circuit 710. The rotation force feedback signal represents the rotation force applied to the shaft 740. The position sensor 734 may be configured to provide the position of the closure member as a feedback signal to the control circuit 710. Additional sensors 738 such as a shaft encoder may provide the rotational position of the shaft 740 to the control circuit 710.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 is configured to articulate the end effector 702. The control circuit 710 provides a motor set point to a motor control 708 d, which provides a drive signal to the motor 704 d. The output shaft of the motor 704 d is coupled to a torque sensor 744 d. The torque sensor 744 d is coupled to a transmission 706 d, which is coupled to an articulation member 742 a. The transmission 706 d comprises movable mechanical elements such as articulation elements to control the articulation of the end effector 702±65°. In one aspect, the motor 704 d is coupled to an articulation nut, which is rotatably journaled on the proximal end portion of the distal spine portion and is rotatably driven thereon by an articulation gear assembly. The torque sensor 744 d provides an articulation force feedback signal to the control circuit 710. The articulation force feedback signal represents the articulation force applied to the end effector 702. Sensors 738, such as an articulation encoder, may provide the articulation position of the end effector 702 to the control circuit 710.

In another aspect, the articulation function of the robotic surgical system 700 may comprise two articulation members, or links, 742 a, 742 b. These articulation members 742 a, 742 b are driven by separate disks on the robot interface (the rack), which are driven by the two motors 704 d, 704 e. When the separate firing motor 704 a is provided, each of articulation links 742 a, 742 b can be antagonistically driven with respect to the other link in order to provide a resistive holding motion and a load to the head when it is not moving and to provide an articulation motion as the head is articulated. The articulation members 742 a, 742 b attach to the head at a fixed radius as the head is rotated. Accordingly, the mechanical advantage of the push-and-pull link changes as the head is rotated. This change in the mechanical advantage may be more pronounced with other articulation link drive systems.

In one aspect, the one or more motors 704 a-704 e may comprise a brushed DC motor with a gearbox and mechanical links to a firing member, closure member, or articulation member. Another example includes electric motors 704 a-704 e that operate the movable mechanical elements such as the displacement member, articulation links, closure tube, and shaft. An outside influence is an unmeasured, unpredictable influence of things like tissue, surrounding bodies, and friction on the physical system. Such outside influence can be referred to as drag, which acts in opposition to one of electric motors 704 a-704 e. The outside influence, such as drag, may cause the operation of the physical system to deviate from a desired operation of the physical system.

In one aspect, the position sensor 734 may be implemented as an absolute positioning system. In one aspect, the position sensor 734 may comprise a magnetic rotary absolute positioning system implemented as an AS5055EQFT single-chip magnetic rotary position sensor available from Austria Microsystems, AG. The position sensor 734 may interface with the control circuit 710 to provide an absolute positioning system. The position may include multiple Hall-effect elements located above a magnet and coupled to a CORDIC processor, also known as the digit-by-digit method and Volder's algorithm, that is provided to implement a simple and efficient algorithm to calculate hyperbolic and trigonometric functions that require only addition, subtraction, bitshift, and table lookup operations.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 may be in communication with one or more sensors 738. The sensors 738 may be positioned on the end effector 702 and adapted to operate with the robotic surgical instrument 700 to measure the various derived parameters such as the gap distance versus time, tissue compression versus time, and anvil strain versus time. The sensors 738 may comprise a magnetic sensor, a magnetic field sensor, a strain gauge, a load cell, a pressure sensor, a force sensor, a torque sensor, an inductive sensor such as an eddy current sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an optical sensor, and/or any other suitable sensor for measuring one or more parameters of the end effector 702. The sensors 738 may include one or more sensors. The sensors 738 may be located on the staple cartridge 718 deck to determine tissue location using segmented electrodes. The torque sensors 744 a-744 e may be configured to sense force such as firing force, closure force, and/or articulation force, among others. Accordingly, the control circuit 710 can sense (1) the closure load experienced by the distal closure tube and its position, (2) the firing member at the rack and its position, (3) what portion of the staple cartridge 718 has tissue on it, and (4) the load and position on both articulation rods.

In one aspect, the one or more sensors 738 may comprise a strain gauge, such as a micro-strain gauge, configured to measure the magnitude of the strain in the anvil 716 during a clamped condition. The strain gauge provides an electrical signal whose amplitude varies with the magnitude of the strain. The sensors 738 may comprise a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure generated by the presence of compressed tissue between the anvil 716 and the staple cartridge 718. The sensors 738 may be configured to detect impedance of a tissue section located between the anvil 716 and the staple cartridge 718 that is indicative of the thickness and/or fullness of tissue located therebetween.

In one aspect, the sensors 738 may be implemented as one or more limit switches, electromechanical devices, solid-state switches, Hall-effect devices, magneto-resistive (MR) devices, giant magneto-resistive (GMR) devices, magnetometers, among others. In other implementations, the sensors 738 may be implemented as solid-state switches that operate under the influence of light, such as optical sensors, IR sensors, ultraviolet sensors, among others. Still, the switches may be solid-state devices such as transistors (e.g., FET, junction FET, MOSFET, bipolar, and the like). In other implementations, the sensors 738 may include electrical conductorless switches, ultrasonic switches, accelerometers, and inertial sensors, among others.

In one aspect, the sensors 738 may be configured to measure forces exerted on the anvil 716 by the closure drive system. For example, one or more sensors 738 can be at an interaction point between the closure tube and the anvil 716 to detect the closure forces applied by the closure tube to the anvil 716. The forces exerted on the anvil 716 can be representative of the tissue compression experienced by the tissue section captured between the anvil 716 and the staple cartridge 718. The one or more sensors 738 can be positioned at various interaction points along the closure drive system to detect the closure forces applied to the anvil 716 by the closure drive system. The one or more sensors 738 may be sampled in real time during a clamping operation by the processor of the control circuit 710. The control circuit 710 receives real-time sample measurements to provide and analyze time-based information and assess, in real time, closure forces applied to the anvil 716.

In one aspect, a current sensor 736 can be employed to measure the current drawn by each of the motors 704 a-704 e. The force required to advance any of the movable mechanical elements such as the I-beam 714 corresponds to the current drawn by one of the motors 704 a-704 e. The force is converted to a digital signal and provided to the control circuit 710. The control circuit 710 can be configured to simulate the response of the actual system of the instrument in the software of the controller. A displacement member can be actuated to move an I-beam 714 in the end effector 702 at or near a target velocity. The robotic surgical instrument 700 can include a feedback controller, which can be one of any feedback controllers, including, but not limited to a PID, a state feedback, a linear-quadratic (LQR), and/or an adaptive controller, for example. The robotic surgical instrument 700 can include a power source to convert the signal from the feedback controller into a physical input such as case voltage, PWM voltage, frequency modulated voltage, current, torque, and/or force, for example. Additional details are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/636,829, titled CLOSED LOOP VELOCITY CONTROL TECHNIQUES FOR ROBOTIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, filed Jun. 29, 2017, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 18 illustrates a block diagram of a surgical instrument 750 programmed to control the distal translation of a displacement member according to one aspect of this disclosure. In one aspect, the surgical instrument 750 is programmed to control the distal translation of a displacement member such as the I-beam 764. The surgical instrument 750 comprises an end effector 752 that may comprise an anvil 766, an I-beam 764 (including a sharp cutting edge), and a removable staple cartridge 768.

The position, movement, displacement, and/or translation of a linear displacement member, such as the I-beam 764, can be measured by an absolute positioning system, sensor arrangement, and position sensor 784. Because the I-beam 764 is coupled to a longitudinally movable drive member, the position of the I-beam 764 can be determined by measuring the position of the longitudinally movable drive member employing the position sensor 784. Accordingly, in the following description, the position, displacement, and/or translation of the I-beam 764 can be achieved by the position sensor 784 as described herein. A control circuit 760 may be programmed to control the translation of the displacement member, such as the I-beam 764. The control circuit 760, in some examples, may comprise one or more microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other suitable processors for executing instructions that cause the processor or processors to control the displacement member, e.g., the I-beam 764, in the manner described. In one aspect, a timer/counter 781 provides an output signal, such as the elapsed time or a digital count, to the control circuit 760 to correlate the position of the I-beam 764 as determined by the position sensor 784 with the output of the timer/counter 781 such that the control circuit 760 can determine the position of the I-beam 764 at a specific time (t) relative to a starting position. The timer/counter 781 may be configured to measure elapsed time, count external events, or time external events.

The control circuit 760 may generate a motor set point signal 772. The motor set point signal 772 may be provided to a motor controller 758. The motor controller 758 may comprise one or more circuits configured to provide a motor drive signal 774 to the motor 754 to drive the motor 754 as described herein. In some examples, the motor 754 may be a brushed DC electric motor. For example, the velocity of the motor 754 may be proportional to the motor drive signal 774. In some examples, the motor 754 may be a brushless DC electric motor and the motor drive signal 774 may comprise a PWM signal provided to one or more stator windings of the motor 754. Also, in some examples, the motor controller 758 may be omitted, and the control circuit 760 may generate the motor drive signal 774 directly.

The motor 754 may receive power from an energy source 762. The energy source 762 may be or include a battery, a super capacitor, or any other suitable energy source. The motor 754 may be mechanically coupled to the I-beam 764 via a transmission 756. The transmission 756 may include one or more gears or other linkage components to couple the motor 754 to the I-beam 764. A position sensor 784 may sense a position of the I-beam 764. The position sensor 784 may be or include any type of sensor that is capable of generating position data that indicate a position of the I-beam 764. In some examples, the position sensor 784 may include an encoder configured to provide a series of pulses to the control circuit 760 as the I-beam 764 translates distally and proximally. The control circuit 760 may track the pulses to determine the position of the I-beam 764. Other suitable position sensors may be used, including, for example, a proximity sensor. Other types of position sensors may provide other signals indicating motion of the I-beam 764. Also, in some examples, the position sensor 784 may be omitted. Where the motor 754 is a stepper motor, the control circuit 760 may track the position of the I-beam 764 by aggregating the number and direction of steps that the motor 754 has been instructed to execute. The position sensor 784 may be located in the end effector 752 or at any other portion of the instrument.

The control circuit 760 may be in communication with one or more sensors 788. The sensors 788 may be positioned on the end effector 752 and adapted to operate with the surgical instrument 750 to measure the various derived parameters such as gap distance versus time, tissue compression versus time, and anvil strain versus time. The sensors 788 may comprise a magnetic sensor, a magnetic field sensor, a strain gauge, a pressure sensor, a force sensor, an inductive sensor such as an eddy current sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an optical sensor, and/or any other suitable sensor for measuring one or more parameters of the end effector 752. The sensors 788 may include one or more sensors.

The one or more sensors 788 may comprise a strain gauge, such as a micro-strain gauge, configured to measure the magnitude of the strain in the anvil 766 during a clamped condition. The strain gauge provides an electrical signal whose amplitude varies with the magnitude of the strain. The sensors 788 may comprise a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure generated by the presence of compressed tissue between the anvil 766 and the staple cartridge 768. The sensors 788 may be configured to detect impedance of a tissue section located between the anvil 766 and the staple cartridge 768 that is indicative of the thickness and/or fullness of tissue located therebetween.

The sensors 788 may be configured to measure forces exerted on the anvil 766 by a closure drive system. For example, one or more sensors 788 can be at an interaction point between a closure tube and the anvil 766 to detect the closure forces applied by a closure tube to the anvil 766. The forces exerted on the anvil 766 can be representative of the tissue compression experienced by the tissue section captured between the anvil 766 and the staple cartridge 768. The one or more sensors 788 can be positioned at various interaction points along the closure drive system to detect the closure forces applied to the anvil 766 by the closure drive system. The one or more sensors 788 may be sampled in real time during a clamping operation by a processor of the control circuit 760. The control circuit 760 receives real-time sample measurements to provide and analyze time-based information and assess, in real time, closure forces applied to the anvil 766.

A current sensor 786 can be employed to measure the current drawn by the motor 754. The force required to advance the I-beam 764 corresponds to the current drawn by the motor 754. The force is converted to a digital signal and provided to the control circuit 760.

The control circuit 760 can be configured to simulate the response of the actual system of the instrument in the software of the controller. A displacement member can be actuated to move an I-beam 764 in the end effector 752 at or near a target velocity. The surgical instrument 750 can include a feedback controller, which can be one of any feedback controllers, including, but not limited to a PID, a state feedback, an LQR, and/or an adaptive controller, for example. The surgical instrument 750 can include a power source to convert the signal from the feedback controller into a physical input such as case voltage, PWM voltage, frequency modulated voltage, current, torque, and/or force, for example.

The actual drive system of the surgical instrument 750 is configured to drive the displacement member, cutting member, or I-beam 764, by a brushed DC motor with gearbox and mechanical links to an articulation and/or knife system. Another example is the electric motor 754 that operates the displacement member and the articulation driver, for example, of an interchangeable shaft assembly. An outside influence is an unmeasured, unpredictable influence of things like tissue, surrounding bodies, and friction on the physical system. Such outside influence can be referred to as drag which acts in opposition to the electric motor 754. The outside influence, such as drag, may cause the operation of the physical system to deviate from a desired operation of the physical system.

Various example aspects are directed to a surgical instrument 750 comprising an end effector 752 with motor-driven surgical stapling and cutting implements. For example, a motor 754 may drive a displacement member distally and proximally along a longitudinal axis of the end effector 752. The end effector 752 may comprise a pivotable anvil 766 and, when configured for use, a staple cartridge 768 positioned opposite the anvil 766. A clinician may grasp tissue between the anvil 766 and the staple cartridge 768, as described herein. When ready to use the instrument 750, the clinician may provide a firing signal, for example by depressing a trigger of the instrument 750. In response to the firing signal, the motor 754 may drive the displacement member distally along the longitudinal axis of the end effector 752 from a proximal stroke begin position to a stroke end position distal of the stroke begin position. As the displacement member translates distally, an I-beam 764 with a cutting element positioned at a distal end, may cut the tissue between the staple cartridge 768 and the anvil 766.

In various examples, the surgical instrument 750 may comprise a control circuit 760 programmed to control the distal translation of the displacement member, such as the I-beam 764, for example, based on one or more tissue conditions. The control circuit 760 may be programmed to sense tissue conditions, such as thickness, either directly or indirectly, as described herein. The control circuit 760 may be programmed to select a firing control program based on tissue conditions. A firing control program may describe the distal motion of the displacement member. Different firing control programs may be selected to better treat different tissue conditions. For example, when thicker tissue is present, the control circuit 760 may be programmed to translate the displacement member at a lower velocity and/or with lower power. When thinner tissue is present, the control circuit 760 may be programmed to translate the displacement member at a higher velocity and/or with higher power.

In some examples, the control circuit 760 may initially operate the motor 754 in an open loop configuration for a first open loop portion of a stroke of the displacement member. Based on a response of the instrument 750 during the open loop portion of the stroke, the control circuit 760 may select a firing control program. The response of the instrument may include, a translation distance of the displacement member during the open loop portion, a time elapsed during the open loop portion, energy provided to the motor 754 during the open loop portion, a sum of pulse widths of a motor drive signal, etc. After the open loop portion, the control circuit 760 may implement the selected firing control program for a second portion of the displacement member stroke. For example, during the closed loop portion of the stroke, the control circuit 760 may modulate the motor 754 based on translation data describing a position of the displacement member in a closed loop manner to translate the displacement member at a constant velocity. Additional details are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/720,852, titled SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A DISPLAY OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, filed Sep. 29, 2017, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a surgical instrument 790 configured to control various functions according to one aspect of this disclosure. In one aspect, the surgical instrument 790 is programmed to control distal translation of a displacement member such as the I-beam 764. The surgical instrument 790 comprises an end effector 792 that may comprise an anvil 766, an I-beam 764, and a removable staple cartridge 768, which may be interchanged with an RF cartridge 796 (shown in dashed line).

In one aspect, sensors 788 may be implemented as a limit switch, electromechanical device, solid-state switches, Hall-effect devices, MR devices, GMR devices, magnetometers, among others. In other implementations, the sensors 638 may be solid-state switches that operate under the influence of light, such as optical sensors, IR sensors, ultraviolet sensors, among others. Still, the switches may be solid-state devices such as transistors (e.g., FET, junction FET, MOSFET, bipolar, and the like). In other implementations, the sensors 788 may include electrical conductorless switches, ultrasonic switches, accelerometers, and inertial sensors, among others.

In one aspect, the position sensor 784 may be implemented as an absolute positioning system comprising a magnetic rotary absolute positioning system implemented as an AS5055EQFT single-chip magnetic rotary position sensor available from Austria Microsystems, AG. The position sensor 784 may interface with the control circuit 760 to provide an absolute positioning system. The position may include multiple Hall-effect elements located above a magnet and coupled to a CORDIC processor, also known as the digit-by-digit method and Volder's algorithm, that is provided to implement a simple and efficient algorithm to calculate hyperbolic and trigonometric functions that require only addition, subtraction, bitshift, and table lookup operations.

In one aspect, the I-beam 764 may be implemented as a knife member comprising a knife body that operably supports a tissue cutting blade thereon and may further include anvil engagement tabs or features and channel engagement features or a foot. In one aspect, the staple cartridge 768 may be implemented as a standard (mechanical) surgical fastener cartridge. In one aspect, the RF cartridge 796 may be implemented as an RF cartridge. These and other sensors arrangements are described in commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/628,175, titled TECHNIQUES FOR ADAPTIVE CONTROL OF MOTOR VELOCITY OF A SURGICAL STAPLING AND CUTTING INSTRUMENT, filed Jun. 20, 2017, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The position, movement, displacement, and/or translation of a linear displacement member, such as the I-beam 764, can be measured by an absolute positioning system, sensor arrangement, and position sensor represented as position sensor 784. Because the I-beam 764 is coupled to the longitudinally movable drive member, the position of the I-beam 764 can be determined by measuring the position of the longitudinally movable drive member employing the position sensor 784. Accordingly, in the following description, the position, displacement, and/or translation of the I-beam 764 can be achieved by the position sensor 784 as described herein. A control circuit 760 may be programmed to control the translation of the displacement member, such as the I-beam 764, as described herein. The control circuit 760, in some examples, may comprise one or more microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other suitable processors for executing instructions that cause the processor or processors to control the displacement member, e.g., the I-beam 764, in the manner described. In one aspect, a timer/counter 781 provides an output signal, such as the elapsed time or a digital count, to the control circuit 760 to correlate the position of the I-beam 764 as determined by the position sensor 784 with the output of the timer/counter 781 such that the control circuit 760 can determine the position of the I-beam 764 at a specific time (t) relative to a starting position. The timer/counter 781 may be configured to measure elapsed time, count external events, or time external events.

The control circuit 760 may generate a motor set point signal 772. The motor set point signal 772 may be provided to a motor controller 758. The motor controller 758 may comprise one or more circuits configured to provide a motor drive signal 774 to the motor 754 to drive the motor 754 as described herein. In some examples, the motor 754 may be a brushed DC electric motor. For example, the velocity of the motor 754 may be proportional to the motor drive signal 774. In some examples, the motor 754 may be a brushless DC electric motor and the motor drive signal 774 may comprise a PWM signal provided to one or more stator windings of the motor 754. Also, in some examples, the motor controller 758 may be omitted, and the control circuit 760 may generate the motor drive signal 774 directly.

The motor 754 may receive power from an energy source 762. The energy source 762 may be or include a battery, a super capacitor, or any other suitable energy source. The motor 754 may be mechanically coupled to the I-beam 764 via a transmission 756. The transmission 756 may include one or more gears or other linkage components to couple the motor 754 to the I-beam 764. A position sensor 784 may sense a position of the I-beam 764. The position sensor 784 may be or include any type of sensor that is capable of generating position data that indicate a position of the I-beam 764. In some examples, the position sensor 784 may include an encoder configured to provide a series of pulses to the control circuit 760 as the I-beam 764 translates distally and proximally. The control circuit 760 may track the pulses to determine the position of the I-beam 764. Other suitable position sensors may be used, including, for example, a proximity sensor. Other types of position sensors may provide other signals indicating motion of the I-beam 764. Also, in some examples, the position sensor 784 may be omitted. Where the motor 754 is a stepper motor, the control circuit 760 may track the position of the I-beam 764 by aggregating the number and direction of steps that the motor has been instructed to execute. The position sensor 784 may be located in the end effector 792 or at any other portion of the instrument.

The control circuit 760 may be in communication with one or more sensors 788. The sensors 788 may be positioned on the end effector 792 and adapted to operate with the surgical instrument 790 to measure the various derived parameters such as gap distance versus time, tissue compression versus time, and anvil strain versus time. The sensors 788 may comprise a magnetic sensor, a magnetic field sensor, a strain gauge, a pressure sensor, a force sensor, an inductive sensor such as an eddy current sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an optical sensor, and/or any other suitable sensor for measuring one or more parameters of the end effector 792. The sensors 788 may include one or more sensors.

The one or more sensors 788 may comprise a strain gauge, such as a micro-strain gauge, configured to measure the magnitude of the strain in the anvil 766 during a clamped condition. The strain gauge provides an electrical signal whose amplitude varies with the magnitude of the strain. The sensors 788 may comprise a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure generated by the presence of compressed tissue between the anvil 766 and the staple cartridge 768. The sensors 788 may be configured to detect impedance of a tissue section located between the anvil 766 and the staple cartridge 768 that is indicative of the thickness and/or fullness of tissue located therebetween.

The sensors 788 may be configured to measure forces exerted on the anvil 766 by the closure drive system. For example, one or more sensors 788 can be at an interaction point between a closure tube and the anvil 766 to detect the closure forces applied by a closure tube to the anvil 766. The forces exerted on the anvil 766 can be representative of the tissue compression experienced by the tissue section captured between the anvil 766 and the staple cartridge 768. The one or more sensors 788 can be positioned at various interaction points along the closure drive system to detect the closure forces applied to the anvil 766 by the closure drive system. The one or more sensors 788 may be sampled in real time during a clamping operation by a processor portion of the control circuit 760. The control circuit 760 receives real-time sample measurements to provide and analyze time-based information and assess, in real time, closure forces applied to the anvil 766.

A current sensor 786 can be employed to measure the current drawn by the motor 754. The force required to advance the I-beam 764 corresponds to the current drawn by the motor 754. The force is converted to a digital signal and provided to the control circuit 760.

An RF energy source 794 is coupled to the end effector 792 and is applied to the RF cartridge 796 when the RF cartridge 796 is loaded in the end effector 792 in place of the staple cartridge 768. The control circuit 760 controls the delivery of the RF energy to the RF cartridge 796.

Additional details are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/636,096, titled SURGICAL SYSTEM COUPLABLE WITH STAPLE CARTRIDGE AND RADIO FREQUENCY CARTRIDGE, AND METHOD OF USING SAME, filed Jun. 28, 2017, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 20 is a simplified block diagram of a generator 800 configured to provide inductorless tuning, among other benefits. Additional details of the generator 800 are described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,060,775, titled SURGICAL GENERATOR FOR ULTRASONIC AND ELECTROSURGICAL DEVICES, which issued on Jun. 23, 2015, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. The generator 800 may comprise a patient isolated stage 802 in communication with a non-isolated stage 804 via a power transformer 806. A secondary winding 808 of the power transformer 806 is contained in the isolated stage 802 and may comprise a tapped configuration (e.g., a center-tapped or a non-center-tapped configuration) to define drive signal outputs 810 a, 810 b, 810 c for delivering drive signals to different surgical instruments, such as, for example, an ultrasonic surgical instrument, an RF electrosurgical instrument, and a multifunction surgical instrument, which includes ultrasonic and RF energy modes that can be delivered alone or simultaneously. In particular, drive signal outputs 810 a, 810 c may output an ultrasonic drive signal (e.g., a 420V root-mean-square (RMS) drive signal) to an ultrasonic surgical instrument, and drive signal outputs 810 b, 810 c may output an RF electrosurgical drive signal (e.g., a 100V RMS drive signal) to an RF electrosurgical instrument, with the drive signal output 810 b corresponding to the center tap of the power transformer 806.

In certain forms, the ultrasonic and electrosurgical drive signals may be provided simultaneously to distinct surgical instruments and/or to a single surgical instrument, such as the multifunction surgical instrument, having the capability to deliver both ultrasonic and electrosurgical energy to tissue. It will be appreciated that the electrosurgical signal, provided either to a dedicated electrosurgical instrument and/or to a combined multifunction ultrasonic/electrosurgical instrument may be either a therapeutic or sub-therapeutic level signal where the sub-therapeutic signal can be used, for example, to monitor tissue or instrument conditions and provide feedback to the generator. For example, the ultrasonic and RF signals can be delivered separately or simultaneously from a generator with a single output port in order to provide the desired output signal to the surgical instrument, as will be discussed in more detail below. Accordingly, the generator can combine the ultrasonic and electrosurgical RF energies and deliver the combined energies to the multifunction ultrasonic/electrosurgical instrument. Bipolar electrodes can be placed on one or both jaws of the end effector. One jaw may be driven by ultrasonic energy in addition to electrosurgical RF energy, working simultaneously. The ultrasonic energy may be employed to dissect tissue, while the electrosurgical RF energy may be employed for vessel sealing.

The non-isolated stage 804 may comprise a power amplifier 812 having an output connected to a primary winding 814 of the power transformer 806. In certain forms, the power amplifier 812 may comprise a push-pull amplifier. For example, the non-isolated stage 804 may further comprise a logic device 816 for supplying a digital output to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit 818, which in turn supplies a corresponding analog signal to an input of the power amplifier 812. In certain forms, the logic device 816 may comprise a programmable gate array (PGA), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), programmable logic device (PLD), among other logic circuits, for example. The logic device 816, by virtue of controlling the input of the power amplifier 812 via the DAC circuit 818, may therefore control any of a number of parameters (e.g., frequency, waveform shape, waveform amplitude) of drive signals appearing at the drive signal outputs 810 a, 810 b, 810 c. In certain forms and as discussed below, the logic device 816, in conjunction with a processor (e.g., a DSP discussed below), may implement a number of DSP-based and/or other control algorithms to control parameters of the drive signals output by the generator 800.

Power may be supplied to a power rail of the power amplifier 812 by a switch-mode regulator 820, e.g., a power converter. In certain forms, the switch-mode regulator 820 may comprise an adjustable buck regulator, for example. The non-isolated stage 804 may further comprise a first processor 822, which in one form may comprise a DSP processor such as an Analog Devices ADSP-21469 SHARC DSP, available from Analog Devices, Norwood, Mass., for example, although in various forms any suitable processor may be employed. In certain forms the DSP processor 822 may control the operation of the switch-mode regulator 820 responsive to voltage feedback data received from the power amplifier 812 by the DSP processor 822 via an ADC circuit 824. In one form, for example, the DSP processor 822 may receive as input, via the ADC circuit 824, the waveform envelope of a signal (e.g., an RF signal) being amplified by the power amplifier 812. The DSP processor 822 may then control the switch-mode regulator 820 (e.g., via a PWM output) such that the rail voltage supplied to the power amplifier 812 tracks the waveform envelope of the amplified signal. By dynamically modulating the rail voltage of the power amplifier 812 based on the waveform envelope, the efficiency of the power amplifier 812 may be significantly improved relative to a fixed rail voltage amplifier schemes.

In certain forms, the logic device 816, in conjunction with the DSP processor 822, may implement a digital synthesis circuit such as a direct digital synthesizer control scheme to control the waveform shape, frequency, and/or amplitude of drive signals output by the generator 800. In one form, for example, the logic device 816 may implement a DDS control algorithm by recalling waveform samples stored in a dynamically updated lookup table (LUT), such as a RAM LUT, which may be embedded in an FPGA. This control algorithm is particularly useful for ultrasonic applications in which an ultrasonic transducer, such as an ultrasonic transducer, may be driven by a clean sinusoidal current at its resonant frequency. Because other frequencies may excite parasitic resonances, minimizing or reducing the total distortion of the motional branch current may correspondingly minimize or reduce undesirable resonance effects. Because the waveform shape of a drive signal output by the generator 800 is impacted by various sources of distortion present in the output drive circuit (e.g., the power transformer 806, the power amplifier 812), voltage and current feedback data based on the drive signal may be input into an algorithm, such as an error control algorithm implemented by the DSP processor 822, which compensates for distortion by suitably pre-distorting or modifying the waveform samples stored in the LUT on a dynamic, ongoing basis (e.g., in real time). In one form, the amount or degree of pre-distortion applied to the LUT samples may be based on the error between a computed motional branch current and a desired current waveform shape, with the error being determined on a sample-by-sample basis. In this way, the pre-distorted LUT samples, when processed through the drive circuit, may result in a motional branch drive signal having the desired waveform shape (e.g., sinusoidal) for optimally driving the ultrasonic transducer. In such forms, the LUT waveform samples will therefore not represent the desired waveform shape of the drive signal, but rather the waveform shape that is required to ultimately produce the desired waveform shape of the motional branch drive signal when distortion effects are taken into account.

The non-isolated stage 804 may further comprise a first ADC circuit 826 and a second ADC circuit 828 coupled to the output of the power transformer 806 via respective isolation transformers 830, 832 for respectively sampling the voltage and current of drive signals output by the generator 800. In certain forms, the ADC circuits 826, 828 may be configured to sample at high speeds (e.g., 80 mega samples per second (MSPS)) to enable oversampling of the drive signals. In one form, for example, the sampling speed of the ADC circuits 826, 828 may enable approximately 200× (depending on frequency) oversampling of the drive signals In certain forms, the sampling operations of the ADC circuit 826, 828 may be performed by a single ADC circuit receiving input voltage and current signals via a two-way multiplexer. The use of high-speed sampling in forms of the generator 800 may enable, among other things, calculation of the complex current flowing through the motional branch (which may be used in certain forms to implement DDS-based waveform shape control described above), accurate digital filtering of the sampled signals, and calculation of real power consumption with a high degree of precision. Voltage and current feedback data output by the ADC circuits 826, 828 may be received and processed (e.g., first-in-first-out (FIFO) buffer, multiplexer) by the logic device 816 and stored in data memory for subsequent retrieval by, for example, the DSP processor 822. As noted above, voltage and current feedback data may be used as input to an algorithm for pre-distorting or modifying LUT waveform samples on a dynamic and ongoing basis. In certain forms, this may require each stored voltage and current feedback data pair to be indexed based on, or otherwise associated with, a corresponding LUT sample that was output by the logic device 816 when the voltage and current feedback data pair was acquired. Synchronization of the LUT samples and the voltage and current feedback data in this manner contributes to the correct timing and stability of the pre-distortion algorithm.

In certain forms, the voltage and current feedback data may be used to control the frequency and/or amplitude (e.g., current amplitude) of the drive signals In one form, for example, voltage and current feedback data may be used to determine impedance phase. The frequency of the drive signal may then be controlled to minimize or reduce the difference between the determined impedance phase and an impedance phase setpoint (e.g., 0°), thereby minimizing or reducing the effects of harmonic distortion and correspondingly enhancing impedance phase measurement accuracy. The determination of phase impedance and a frequency control signal may be implemented in the DSP processor 822, for example, with the frequency control signal being supplied as input to a DDS control algorithm implemented by the logic device 816.

In another form, for example, the current feedback data may be monitored in order to maintain the current amplitude of the drive signal at a current amplitude setpoint. The current amplitude setpoint may be specified directly or determined indirectly based on specified voltage amplitude and power setpoints. In certain forms, control of the current amplitude may be implemented by control algorithm, such as, for example, a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control algorithm, in the DSP processor 822. Variables controlled by the control algorithm to suitably control the current amplitude of the drive signal may include, for example, the scaling of the LUT waveform samples stored in the logic device 816 and/or the full-scale output voltage of the DAC circuit 818 (which supplies the input to the power amplifier 812) via a DAC circuit 834.

The non-isolated stage 804 may further comprise a second processor 836 for providing, among other things user interface (UI) functionality. In one form, the UI processor 836 may comprise an Atmel AT91SAM9263 processor having an ARM 926EJ-S core, available from Atmel Corporation, San Jose, Calif., for example. Examples of UI functionality supported by the UI processor 836 may include audible and visual user feedback, communication with peripheral devices (e.g., via a USB interface), communication with a foot switch, communication with an input device (e.g., a touch screen display), and communication with an output device (e.g., a speaker). The UI processor 836 may communicate with the DSP processor 822 and the logic device 816 (e.g., via SPI buses). Although the UI processor 836 may primarily support UI functionality, it may also coordinate with the DSP processor 822 to implement hazard mitigation in certain forms. For example, the UI processor 836 may be programmed to monitor various aspects of user input and/or other inputs (e.g., touch screen inputs, foot switch inputs, temperature sensor inputs) and may disable the drive output of the generator 800 when an erroneous condition is detected.

In certain forms, both the DSP processor 822 and the UI processor 836, for example, may determine and monitor the operating state of the generator 800. For the DSP processor 822, the operating state of the generator 800 may dictate, for example, which control and/or diagnostic processes are implemented by the DSP processor 822. For the UI processor 836, the operating state of the generator 800 may dictate, for example, which elements of a UI (e.g., display screens, sounds) are presented to a user. The respective DSP and UI processors 822, 836 may independently maintain the current operating state of the generator 800 and recognize and evaluate possible transitions out of the current operating state. The DSP processor 822 may function as the master in this relationship and determine when transitions between operating states are to occur. The UI processor 836 may be aware of valid transitions between operating states and may confirm if a particular transition is appropriate. For example, when the DSP processor 822 instructs the UI processor 836 to transition to a specific state, the UI processor 836 may verify that requested transition is valid. In the event that a requested transition between states is determined to be invalid by the UI processor 836, the UI processor 836 may cause the generator 800 to enter a failure mode.

The non-isolated stage 804 may further comprise a controller 838 for monitoring input devices (e.g., a capacitive touch sensor used for turning the generator 800 on and off, a capacitive touch screen). In certain forms, the controller 838 may comprise at least one processor and/or other controller device in communication with the UI processor 836. In one form, for example, the controller 838 may comprise a processor (e.g., a Meg168 8-bit controller available from Atmel) configured to monitor user input provided via one or more capacitive touch sensors. In one form, the controller 838 may comprise a touch screen controller (e.g., a QT5480 touch screen controller available from Atmel) to control and manage the acquisition of touch data from a capacitive touch screen.

In certain forms, when the generator 800 is in a “power off” state, the controller 838 may continue to receive operating power (e.g., via a line from a power supply of the generator 800, such as the power supply 854 discussed below). In this way, the controller 838 may continue to monitor an input device (e.g., a capacitive touch sensor located on a front panel of the generator 800) for turning the generator 800 on and off. When the generator 800 is in the power off state, the controller 838 may wake the power supply (e.g., enable operation of one or more DC/DC voltage converters 856 of the power supply 854) if activation of the “on/off” input device by a user is detected. The controller 838 may therefore initiate a sequence for transitioning the generator 800 to a “power on” state. Conversely, the controller 838 may initiate a sequence for transitioning the generator 800 to the power off state if activation of the “on/off” input device is detected when the generator 800 is in the power on state. In certain forms, for example, the controller 838 may report activation of the “on/off” input device to the UI processor 836, which in turn implements the necessary process sequence for transitioning the generator 800 to the power off state. In such forms, the controller 838 may have no independent ability for causing the removal of power from the generator 800 after its power on state has been established.

In certain forms, the controller 838 may cause the generator 800 to provide audible or other sensory feedback for alerting the user that a power on or power off sequence has been initiated. Such an alert may be provided at the beginning of a power on or power off sequence and prior to the commencement of other processes associated with the sequence.

In certain forms, the isolated stage 802 may comprise an instrument interface circuit 840 to, for example, provide a communication interface between a control circuit of a surgical instrument (e.g., a control circuit comprising handpiece switches) and components of the non-isolated stage 804, such as, for example, the logic device 816, the DSP processor 822, and/or the UI processor 836. The instrument interface circuit 840 may exchange information with components of the non-isolated stage 804 via a communication link that maintains a suitable degree of electrical isolation between the isolated and non-isolated stages 802, 804, such as, for example, an IR-based communication link. Power may be supplied to the instrument interface circuit 840 using, for example, a low-dropout voltage regulator powered by an isolation transformer driven from the non-isolated stage 804.

In one form, the instrument interface circuit 840 may comprise a logic circuit 842 (e.g., logic circuit, programmable logic circuit, PGA, FPGA, PLD) in communication with a signal conditioning circuit 844. The signal conditioning circuit 844 may be configured to receive a periodic signal from the logic circuit 842 (e.g., a 2 kHz square wave) to generate a bipolar interrogation signal having an identical frequency. The interrogation signal may be generated, for example, using a bipolar current source fed by a differential amplifier. The interrogation signal may be communicated to a surgical instrument control circuit (e.g., by using a conductive pair in a cable that connects the generator 800 to the surgical instrument) and monitored to determine a state or configuration of the control circuit. The control circuit may comprise a number of switches, resistors, and/or diodes to modify one or more characteristics (e.g., amplitude, rectification) of the interrogation signal such that a state or configuration of the control circuit is uniquely discernable based on the one or more characteristics. In one form, for example, the signal conditioning circuit 844 may comprise an ADC circuit for generating samples of a voltage signal appearing across inputs of the control circuit resulting from passage of interrogation signal therethrough. The logic circuit 842 (or a component of the non-isolated stage 804) may then determine the state or configuration of the control circuit based on the ADC circuit samples.

In one form, the instrument interface circuit 840 may comprise a first data circuit interface (DCI) 846 to enable information exchange between the logic circuit 842 (or other element of the instrument interface circuit 840) and a first data circuit disposed in or otherwise associated with a surgical instrument. In certain forms, for example, a first data circuit may be disposed in a cable integrally attached to a surgical instrument handpiece or in an adaptor for interfacing a specific surgical instrument type or model with the generator 800. The first data circuit may be implemented in any suitable manner and may communicate with the generator according to any suitable protocol, including, for example, as described herein with respect to the first data circuit. In certain forms, the first data circuit may comprise a non-volatile storage device, such as an EEPROM device. In certain forms, the first data circuit interface 846 may be implemented separately from the logic circuit 842 and comprise suitable circuitry (e.g., discrete logic devices, a processor) to enable communication between the logic circuit 842 and the first data circuit. In other forms, the first data circuit interface 846 may be integral with the logic circuit 842.

In certain forms, the first data circuit may store information pertaining to the particular surgical instrument with which it is associated. Such information may include, for example, a model number, a serial number, a number of operations in which the surgical instrument has been used, and/or any other type of information. This information may be read by the instrument interface circuit 840 (e.g., by the logic circuit 842), transferred to a component of the non-isolated stage 804 (e.g., to logic device 816, DSP processor 822, and/or UI processor 836) for presentation to a user via an output device and/or for controlling a function or operation of the generator 800. Additionally, any type of information may be communicated to the first data circuit for storage therein via the first data circuit interface 846 (e.g., using the logic circuit 842). Such information may comprise, for example, an updated number of operations in which the surgical instrument has been used and/or dates and/or times of its usage.

As discussed previously, a surgical instrument may be detachable from a handpiece (e.g., the multifunction surgical instrument may be detachable from the handpiece) to promote instrument interchangeability and/or disposability. In such cases, conventional generators may be limited in their ability to recognize particular instrument configurations being used and to optimize control and diagnostic processes accordingly. The addition of readable data circuits to surgical instruments to address this issue is problematic from a compatibility standpoint, however. For example, designing a surgical instrument to remain backwardly compatible with generators that lack the requisite data reading functionality may be impractical due to, for example, differing signal schemes, design complexity, and cost. Forms of instruments discussed herein address these concerns by using data circuits that may be implemented in existing surgical instruments economically and with minimal design changes to preserve compatibility of the surgical instruments with current generator platforms.

Additionally, forms of the generator 800 may enable communication with instrument-based data circuits. For example, the generator 800 may be configured to communicate with a second data circuit contained in an instrument (e.g., the multifunction surgical instrument). In some forms, the second data circuit may be implemented in a many similar to that of the first data circuit described herein. The instrument interface circuit 840 may comprise a second data circuit interface 848 to enable this communication. In one form, the second data circuit interface 848 may comprise a tri-state digital interface, although other interfaces may also be used. In certain forms, the second data circuit may generally be any circuit for transmitting and/or receiving data. In one form, for example, the second data circuit may store information pertaining to the particular surgical instrument with which it is associated. Such information may include, for example, a model number, a serial number, a number of operations in which the surgical instrument has been used, and/or any other type of information.

In some forms, the second data circuit may store information about the electrical and/or ultrasonic properties of an associated ultrasonic transducer, end effector, or ultrasonic drive system. For example, the first data circuit may indicate a burn-in frequency slope, as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, any type of information may be communicated to second data circuit for storage therein via the second data circuit interface 848 (e.g., using the logic circuit 842). Such information may comprise, for example, an updated number of operations in which the instrument has been used and/or dates and/or times of its usage. In certain forms, the second data circuit may transmit data acquired by one or more sensors (e.g., an instrument-based temperature sensor). In certain forms, the second data circuit may receive data from the generator 800 and provide an indication to a user (e.g., a light emitting diode indication or other visible indication) based on the received data.

In certain forms, the second data circuit and the second data circuit interface 848 may be configured such that communication between the logic circuit 842 and the second data circuit can be effected without the need to provide additional conductors for this purpose (e.g., dedicated conductors of a cable connecting a handpiece to the generator 800). In one form, for example, information may be communicated to and from the second data circuit using a one-wire bus communication scheme implemented on existing cabling, such as one of the conductors used transmit interrogation signals from the signal conditioning circuit 844 to a control circuit in a handpiece. In this way, design changes or modifications to the surgical instrument that might otherwise be necessary are minimized or reduced. Moreover, because different types of communications implemented over a common physical channel can be frequency-band separated, the presence of a second data circuit may be “invisible” to generators that do not have the requisite data reading functionality, thus enabling backward compatibility of the surgical instrument.

In certain forms, the isolated stage 802 may comprise at least one blocking capacitor 850-1 connected to the drive signal output 810 b to prevent passage of DC current to a patient. A single blocking capacitor may be required to comply with medical regulations or standards, for example. While failure in single-capacitor designs is relatively uncommon, such failure may nonetheless have negative consequences. In one form, a second blocking capacitor 850-2 may be provided in series with the blocking capacitor 850-1, with current leakage from a point between the blocking capacitors 850-1, 850-2 being monitored by, for example, an ADC circuit 852 for sampling a voltage induced by leakage current. The samples may be received by the logic circuit 842, for example. Based changes in the leakage current (as indicated by the voltage samples), the generator 800 may determine when at least one of the blocking capacitors 850-1, 850-2 has failed, thus providing a benefit over single-capacitor designs having a single point of failure.

In certain forms, the non-isolated stage 804 may comprise a power supply 854 for delivering DC power at a suitable voltage and current. The power supply may comprise, for example, a 400 W power supply for delivering a 48 VDC system voltage. The power supply 854 may further comprise one or more DC/DC voltage converters 856 for receiving the output of the power supply to generate DC outputs at the voltages and currents required by the various components of the generator 800. As discussed above in connection with the controller 838, one or more of the DC/DC voltage converters 856 may receive an input from the controller 838 when activation of the “on/off” input device by a user is detected by the controller 838 to enable operation of, or wake, the DC/DC voltage converters 856.

FIG. 21 illustrates an example of a generator 900, which is one form of the generator 800 (FIG. 20). The generator 900 is configured to deliver multiple energy modalities to a surgical instrument. The generator 900 provides RF and ultrasonic signals for delivering energy to a surgical instrument either independently or simultaneously. The RF and ultrasonic signals may be provided alone or in combination and may be provided simultaneously. As noted above, at least one generator output can deliver multiple energy modalities (e.g., ultrasonic, bipolar or monopolar RF, irreversible and/or reversible electroporation, and/or microwave energy, among others) through a single port, and these signals can be delivered separately or simultaneously to the end effector to treat tissue.

The generator 900 comprises a processor 902 coupled to a waveform generator 904. The processor 902 and waveform generator 904 are configured to generate a variety of signal waveforms based on information stored in a memory coupled to the processor 902, not shown for clarity of disclosure. The digital information associated with a waveform is provided to the waveform generator 904 which includes one or more DAC circuits to convert the digital input into an analog output. The analog output is fed to an amplifier 1106 for signal conditioning and amplification. The conditioned and amplified output of the amplifier 906 is coupled to a power transformer 908. The signals are coupled across the power transformer 908 to the secondary side, which is in the patient isolation side. A first signal of a first energy modality is provided to the surgical instrument between the terminals labeled ENERGY₁ and RETURN. A second signal of a second energy modality is coupled across a capacitor 910 and is provided to the surgical instrument between the terminals labeled ENERGY₂ and RETURN. It will be appreciated that more than two energy modalities may be output and thus the subscript “n” may be used to designate that up to n ENERGYn terminals may be provided, where n is a positive integer greater than 1. It also will be appreciated that up to “n” return paths RETURNn may be provided without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

A first voltage sensing circuit 912 is coupled across the terminals labeled ENERGY₁ and the RETURN path to measure the output voltage therebetween. A second voltage sensing circuit 924 is coupled across the terminals labeled ENERGY₂ and the RETURN path to measure the output voltage therebetween. A current sensing circuit 914 is disposed in series with the RETURN leg of the secondary side of the power transformer 908 as shown to measure the output current for either energy modality. If different return paths are provided for each energy modality, then a separate current sensing circuit should be provided in each return leg. The outputs of the first and second voltage sensing circuits 912, 924 are provided to respective isolation transformers 916, 922 and the output of the current sensing circuit 914 is provided to another isolation transformer 918. The outputs of the isolation transformers 916, 928, 922 in the on the primary side of the power transformer 908 (non-patient isolated side) are provided to a one or more ADC circuit 926. The digitized output of the ADC circuit 926 is provided to the processor 902 for further processing and computation. The output voltages and output current feedback information can be employed to adjust the output voltage and current provided to the surgical instrument and to compute output impedance, among other parameters. Input/output communications between the processor 902 and patient isolated circuits is provided through an interface circuit 920. Sensors also may be in electrical communication with the processor 902 by way of the interface circuit 920.

In one aspect, the impedance may be determined by the processor 902 by dividing the output of either the first voltage sensing circuit 912 coupled across the terminals labeled ENERGY₁/RETURN or the second voltage sensing circuit 924 coupled across the terminals labeled ENERGY₂/RETURN by the output of the current sensing circuit 914 disposed in series with the RETURN leg of the secondary side of the power transformer 908. The outputs of the first and second voltage sensing circuits 912, 924 are provided to separate isolations transformers 916, 922 and the output of the current sensing circuit 914 is provided to another isolation transformer 916. The digitized voltage and current sensing measurements from the ADC circuit 926 are provided the processor 902 for computing impedance. As an example, the first energy modality ENERGY₁ may be ultrasonic energy and the second energy modality ENERGY₂ may be RF energy. Nevertheless, in addition to ultrasonic and bipolar or monopolar RF energy modalities, other energy modalities include irreversible and/or reversible electroporation and/or microwave energy, among others. Also, although the example illustrated in FIG. 21 shows a single return path RETURN may be provided for two or more energy modalities, in other aspects, multiple return paths RETURNn may be provided for each energy modality ENERGYn. Thus, as described herein, the ultrasonic transducer impedance may be measured by dividing the output of the first voltage sensing circuit 912 by the current sensing circuit 914 and the tissue impedance may be measured by dividing the output of the second voltage sensing circuit 924 by the current sensing circuit 914.

As shown in FIG. 21, the generator 900 comprising at least one output port can include a power transformer 908 with a single output and with multiple taps to provide power in the form of one or more energy modalities, such as ultrasonic, bipolar or monopolar RF, irreversible and/or reversible electroporation, and/or microwave energy, among others, for example, to the end effector depending on the type of treatment of tissue being performed. For example, the generator 900 can deliver energy with higher voltage and lower current to drive an ultrasonic transducer, with lower voltage and higher current to drive RF electrodes for sealing tissue, or with a coagulation waveform for spot coagulation using either monopolar or bipolar RF electrosurgical electrodes. The output waveform from the generator 900 can be steered, switched, or filtered to provide the frequency to the end effector of the surgical instrument. The connection of an ultrasonic transducer to the generator 900 output would be preferably located between the output labeled ENERGY₁ and RETURN as shown in FIG. 21. In one example, a connection of RF bipolar electrodes to the generator 900 output would be preferably located between the output labeled ENERGY₂ and RETURN. In the case of monopolar output, the preferred connections would be active electrode (e.g., pencil or other probe) to the ENERGY₂ output and a suitable return pad connected to the RETURN output.

Additional details are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0086914, titled TECHNIQUES FOR OPERATING GENERATOR FOR DIGITALLY GENERATING ELECTRICAL SIGNAL WAVEFORMS AND SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, which published on Mar. 30, 2017, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 22 illustrates a surgical instrument 29000, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. For the aspects shown in FIG. 22, the surgical instrument includes a handle 29002, a bendable shaft assembly 29004, an end effector 29006, a motor (not visible through the outer surface of the handle 29002) and a flexible circuit 29008. Although the surgical instrument 29000 is shown in FIG. 22 as having a bendable shaft assembly 29004, it will be appreciated that according to other aspects, the surgical instrument 29000 may include a shaft assembly having an articulation joint in lieu of the bendable portion.

FIG. 23 illustrates a shaft assembly 29005 of the surgical instrument 29000, in accordance with at least one other aspect of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 23, the shaft assembly 29005 includes an articulation joint 29010 and is coupled to the end effector 29006 which includes a first jaw 29012 and a second jaw 29014, where at least one of the first and second jaws 29012, 29014 is configured to pivot between an open position and a closed position to clamp tissue between the first and second jaws 29012, 29014. Although the end effector 29006 is shown as including a staple cartridge 29016, it will be appreciated that according to other aspects, the end effector 29006 may include electrodes in lieu of or in addition to the staple cartridge 29016.

FIG. 24 illustrates the flexible circuit 29008 of the surgical instrument 29000 of FIG. 22. The flexible circuit 2900 is present in the handle 29002, the shaft assembly 29004/29005 and the end effector 29006, and includes processing devices 29018, logic elements 29020, conductive traces 29022 and conductive pads 29024. Although only one processing device 29018 and one logic element 29020 are shown in FIG. 23, it will be appreciated that the flexible circuit 29008 may include any number of processing devices 29018 and/or logic elements 29020. The conductive pads 29024 are configured for connection to other components of the surgical instrument 29000 such as sensing devices as described above, a motor (See conductive pads A and B in FIG. 24) and slip rings (See conductive pads C and D in FIG. 24). The conductive traces 29022 carry signals from sensors, to and from processing devices 29018, to and from logic elements 29020, to and from control circuits, to motors, etc. Although not shown for purposes of simplicity, the flexible circuit 29008 can also include a substrate, one or more insulation layers and an overlay. The processing devices 29018, logic elements 29020, etc. can be mounted on the substrate and the conductive traces 29022 and conductive pads 29024 can be patterned onto/over the substrate. The one or more insulation layers electrically insulate the conductive traces from one another. The overlay covers the insulation layer and/or the processing devices 29018, logic elements 29020, conductive traces 29022 and conductive pads 29024. The flexible circuit 29008 can be one-sided as shown in FIG. 24, or double-sided or multilayer. The conductive traces 29022 and conductive pads 29024 can include copper, gold, tin and/or other suitable conductive materials.

According to various aspects, in order to isolate the conductive traces 29022 from radiofrequency energy delivered by the surgical instrument 29000, the flexible circuit 29008 includes electromagnetic shielding (e.g., guard traces or guard rings) that blocks radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation and/or minimizes signal cross-talk between the various conductive traces 29022. The electromagnetic shielding does not have to be included throughout the flexible circuit 29008. For example, according to various aspects, the electromagnetic shielding may only be positioned in select locations of the flexible circuit 29008 to protect the conductive traces 29022 from being subjected to unwanted effects or signals caused by external radiofrequency generators or magnets. For purposes of simplicity, the electromagnetic shielding is not shown in FIG. 24.

The flexible circuit 29008 includes both rigid sections 29026 and flexible sections 29028. Thus, the flexible circuit 29008 may also be referred to as a rigid-flex circuit. The rigid sections 29026 may be reinforced and are configured not to bend or flex to any significant degree. The rigid sections 29026 include portions of the conductive traces 29022, and can also include, for example, one or more processing devices 29018, one or more integrated circuits, one or more logic elements 29020 and/or conductive pads 29024 as shown in FIG. 24. The actual positioning of devices such as non-chip gates and other logic elements 29020 allow for low level decision making local to the actuators of the surgical instrument 29000 (e.g., distributed processing).

According to various aspects, a first rigid section 29026 of the flexible circuit 29008 proximal to the articulation joint 29010 of the shaft assembly 29005 includes an interlock feature 29030 which is configured to snap into a recess 29032 defined by a first channel retainer 29034 (See FIG. 25), and a second rigid section 29026 of the flexible circuit 29008 distal to the articulation joint 29010 of the shaft assembly 29005 includes an interlock feature which is configured to snap into a recess defined by a second channel retainer. Although the interlock feature of the second rigid section, the second channel retainer and its recess are not shown in FIG. 24 for purposes of simplicity, it will be appreciated that other than the positioning (proximal versus distal relative to the articulation joint), the interlock feature of the second rigid section may be similar or identical to the interlock feature 29030 of the first rigid section 29026, the second channel retainer may be similar or identical to the first channel retainer 29034, and the recess of the second channel retainer may be similar or identical to the recess 29032 of the first channel retainer 29034. The first and second channel retainers 29034 are fixed within the surgical instrument 29000 and do not move relative to the surgical instrument 29000. The snap-fit connection of the rigid sections 29026 to the channel retainers 29034 allows for the flexible circuit 29008 to be attached to the surgical instrument 29000 and prevents the flexible circuit 29008 from being “pulled-out” of position when the surgical instrument 29000 is required to be moved in various directions and/or the flexible circuit 29008 is subjected to various forces.

The flexible sections 29028 are configured to flex and bend as needed. For example, for a flexible section 29028 that is aligned with an active bending portion of the shaft assembly 20004 or with an articulating portion of the shaft assembly 29005 of the surgical instrument 29000, the flexible section 29028 also needs to bendable in a similar manner to prevent unwanted stresses being applied to the flexible section 29028 and/or failure of the flexible section 29028. Similarly, for instances where the flexible section 29028 needs to be stepped to cross over a mechanical component of the surgical instrument 29000 (e.g., an articulation rod of the surgical instrument), a flexible section 29028 of the flexible circuit 29008 allows for this to be realized (see, e.g., FIG. 23). When the flexible circuit 29008 has forces, torsion or deformations applied to it, the flexible portions 29028 allow for the flexible circuit 29008 to flex more in one direction than in other directions, thereby preventing damage to the flexible circuit 29008 due to loading.

The flexible sections 29028 include portions of the conductive traces 29022, can be stepped to cross over one or more mechanical components as described above, and/or can be folded in certain potentially high-stress areas (e.g., within an active bending portion of the shaft assembly 29004 as shown in FIG. 22 or within an articulation joint 29010 of the shaft assembly 29005) in order to provide increased maneuverability, strength and/or resistance to failure.

According to various aspects, the respective cross-sections of the conductive traces 29022 can vary throughout the flexible circuit 29008, even though the conductive traces 29022 still have the same or substantially similar current carrying capacity. The respective heights (h) or thicknesses of the conductive traces 29022 can be varied and/or the respective widths (w) of the conductive traces 29022 can be varied. For example, for a given conductive trace 29022 that is present in both a rigid section 29026 and a flexible section 29028, the height (h) of the conductive trace 29022 may be greater in the rigid section 29026 than in the flexible section 29028, and the width (W) of conductive trace 29022 may be greater in the flexible section 29028 than in the rigid section 29026. The combination of a lower height and a greater width in the flexible section 29028 allows the conductive trace 29022 to be more tolerable of the high stresses introduced by motions such as articulation motions and/or jaw closure motions. The length L shown in FIG. 24 is representative of the length of the articulating portion of the shaft assembly 29005 relative to the conductive traces 29022 aligned with the articulation joint 29010.

FIG. 26 illustrates a cross-section of the flexible circuit 29008 along the line A-A of FIG. 24, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The portion of the flexible circuit 29008 along the line A-A is distal to the bending portion of the shaft assembly 29004/the articulation joint 29010 of the shaft assembly 29005 and may be considered a rigid portion 29026. As shown in FIGS. 24 and 26, the flexible circuit 29008 is not separated along the line A-A and the respective conductive traces 29022 in this portion of the flexible circuit 29008 have a height h_(a) and a width W_(a).

FIG. 27 illustrates a cross-section of the flexible circuit 29008 along the line B-B of FIG. 24, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The portion of the flexible circuit 29008 along the line B-B is proximal to the bending portion of the shaft assembly 29004/the articulation joint 29010 of the shaft assembly 29005 and may be considered a flexible portion 29028. As shown in FIGS. 24 and 27, the flexible circuit 29008 defines a separation or opening 29036 along the line B-B and the respective conductive traces 29022 in this portion of the flexible circuit 29008 have a height h_(b) and a width W_(b).

By comparing FIGS. 26 and 27, it is apparent that the height (h_(a)) of the portions of the respective conductive traces 29022 along the line A-A (the portions of the conductive traces 29022 in the rigid section 29026) is greater than the height (h_(b)) of the portions of the respective conductive traces 29022 along the line B-B (the portions of the conductive traces 29022 in the flexible section 29028). Similarly, it is also apparent that the width (W_(a)) of the portions of the respective conductive traces 29022 along the line A-A (the portions of the conductive traces 29022 in the rigid section 29026) is less than the width (W_(b)) of the portions of the respective conductive traces 29022 along the line B-B (the portions of the conductive traces 29022 in the flexible section 29028). Stated differently, as depicted in FIG. 26, h_(a)>h_(b) and W_(a)<W_(b).

For aspects of the surgical instrument 29000, which include the articulation joint 29010 in the shaft assembly 29005, for the portion of the flexible circuit 29008, which passes through the articulation joint 29010 (a flexible section 29028 of the flexible circuit 29008), the portions of the respective conductive traces 29022 are shorter/thinner and wider than the portions of the corresponding conductive traces 29022 are in the rigid section 29026, which is distal and adjacent to the flexible section 29028. Whereas traditional wires in this region typically have to be augmented with strain relief, the conductive traces 29022 of the flexible circuit 29008 in this region are made shorter/thinner and wider to allow the conductive traces 29022 of this flexible section 29028 to have the same current carrying capacity of those in the rigid sections 29026 while improving their flexibility. In view of the above, it will be appreciated that, a flexible section 29028 of the flexible circuit 29008 may be aligned to a pivot axis of the articulation joint 29010 of the shaft assembly 29005, thereby allowing the flexible circuit 29008 to be bent up to 90° (or more) relative to a longitudinal axis 29038 of the shaft assembly 29005 and/or of the surgical instrument 29000. Similar functionality can be realized for a portion of the flexible circuit 29008, which passes through a pivot joint of the end effector 29006 and/or through the first and/or second jaws 29012, 29014 of the surgical instrument 29000. Thus, it can be appreciated that the flexible circuit 29008 includes elements (e.g., conductive traces 29022) that have variable cross-sections where they are aligned with joints (e.g., the articulation joint 29010 of the shaft assembly 29005 and/or the pivot joint of the end effector 29006) of the surgical instrument 29000.

As shown in FIG. 22, for the portion of the flexible circuit 29008, which passes through the bendable portion of the shaft assembly 29004 (or through the articulation joint 29010 of the shaft assembly 29005), the flexible circuit 29008 may be folded on each side of the separation or opening 29040 similar to a manner of that shown in FIG. 22. The folding on each side of the separation or opening 29040 and the flexibility of the conductive traces 29022 allows for the wider portions of the conductive traces 29022 of the flexible section 29028 to fit within the limited area available within the articulation joint 29010 of the shaft assembly 29005.

According to various aspects, the flexible circuit 29008 can include a twist or strain relief section 29042 incorporated into the flexible circuit 29008. As shown in FIG. 22, according to various aspects, the twist or strain relief section 29042 can be positioned between a rigid section 29026, which includes the interlock feature 29030 and a flexible section 29028 which passes through the articulation joint 29010 of the shaft assembly 29005. The twist or strain relief section 29042 allows the flexible circuit 29008 to first be attached to the first channel retainer 29034 (along a first plane along a length of the shaft assembly 29005 proximal to the articulation joint 29010), then twist approximately 90° relative to the first plane to allow articulation about an axis perpendicular to the first plane). The twist or strain relief section 29042 is configured to safely relieve strains imposed on the flexible circuit 29008.

By incorporating both rigid sections 29026 and flexible sections 29028 into the flexible circuit 29008 of the surgical instrument 29000, the flexible circuit 29008 can mirror movements of the active bending sections of the shaft assembly 29004 or the articulation joint 29010 of the shaft assembly 29005 of the surgical instrument 29000 while remaining properly positioned within the surgical instrument 29000. Such a combination provides a flexible circuit 29008, which is more resistant to failure than those typically associated with surgical instruments 29000.

FIG. 28 illustrates an exploded view of a flexible electrode 29100 of the surgical instrument 29000 of FIG. 22, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. According to various aspects, the flexible electrode 29100 can be integrated into the flexible circuit 29008 of FIG. 22 or at least be electrically coupled to the flexible circuit 29008. Although not shown for purposes of clarity, it will be appreciated that the flexible electrode 29100 can be coupled to an electrosurgical generator and can receive electrosurgical energy (alternating current at RF levels) supplied by the electrosurgical generator.

The flexible electrode 29100 can be positioned on the first or second jaw 29012, 29014 of the end effector 29006 of the surgical instrument 29000 and includes a therapeutic electrode 29102 and a sensing electrode 29104. The therapeutic electrode 29102 and the sensing electrode 29104 can include copper, gold, tin, or any other suitable material for conducting electricity.

The therapeutic electrode 29102 can have a rectangular shape and is configured to deliver RF energy to tissue positioned between the first and second jaws 29012, 29014 of the surgical instrument 29000. According to various aspects, the therapeutic electrode 29102 can have a thickness in the range of about 0.003 inches.

The sensing electrode 29104 is configured to help determine one or more parameters associated with tissue positioned between the first and second jaws 29012, 29014 of the surgical instrument 29000. For example, the sensing electrode 29104 may be configured to help determine the impedance of the tissue positioned between the first and second jaws 29012, 29014 of the surgical instrument 29000. By sensing an amplitude, a frequency, a phase shift, etc., of a current passing through the tissue, the sensing electrode 29104 can pass the sensed “value” along to a processing circuit of the surgical instrument 29000, which can then determine the impedance of the tissue positioned between the first and second jaws 29012, 29014 of the surgical instrument 29000. An example of such a sensing electrode is described in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,817,093, titled IMPEDANCE FEEDBACK MONITOR WITH QUERY ELECTRODE FOR ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENT, issued Oct. 6, 1998, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The sensing electrode 29104 can be continually sensing, even when RF energy is being delivered to the tissue by the therapeutic electrode 29102 for welding the tissue. According to various aspects, the sensing electrode 29104 can have a thickness similar or identical to the thickness of the therapeutic electrode 29102 (e.g., in the range of about 0.003 inches).

According to various aspects, the sensing electrode 29104 may also be configured to help determine tissue shrinkage and/or temperature transition points in the tissue. For example, by sensing an amplitude, a frequency, a phase shift, etc., of a current passing through the tissue, the sensing electrode 29104 can pass the sensed “value” along to a processing circuit of the surgical instrument 29000, which can then utilize the sensed “values” to determine the electrical continuity of the tissue positioned between the first and second jaws 29012, 29014 of the surgical instrument 29000. The processing circuit can then utilize the determined electrical continuity of the tissue to help determine the tissue shrinkage. When utilized in connection with the therapeutic electrodes 29102, the sensing electrodes 29104 can allow for the detection of approaching transition temperature points associated with the tissue welding as the sensing electrodes 29104 are at a higher pressure than the therapeutic electrodes 29102 are. By utilizing the sensing capability of the sensing electrodes 29104, the sensed “values” can be passed along to the processing circuit of the surgical instrument 29000, which can then utilize the sensed “values” to identify impedance events before temperature transition points/inflection points occur in the less compressed zones of the tissue.

The sensing electrode 29104 has a patterned shape, overlays the therapeutic electrode 29102 and can have the same overall length and width of the therapeutic electrode 29102, but due to the patterned shape doesn't completely cover the therapeutic electrode 29102. As shown in FIG. 28, according to various aspects the sensing electrode 29104 can be patterned as a modified “E-shape” with multiple rectangular fingers 29106. When the sensing electrode 29104 overlays the therapeutic electrode 29102, the spaces 29108 between the multiple rectangular fingers 29106 of the modified E-shape of the sensing electrode 29104 are aligned with portions of the therapeutic electrode 29102 which remain uncovered. According to other aspects, the patterned shape of the sensing electrode 29104 can be a modified E-shape with multiple triangular fingers or other shaped fingers.

The flexible electrode 29100 also includes a first insulative layer 29110 positioned between the therapeutic electrode 29102 and the sensing electrode 29104. The first insulative layer 29110 can be patterned in the same manner as the sensing electrode 29104 (e.g., a modified E-shape with multiple rectangular fingers 29112), is aligned with the sensing electrode 29104, and electrically isolates the sensing electrode 29104 from the therapeutic electrode 29102. According to various aspects, the first insulative layer 29110 is congruent with the sensing electrode 29104. According to various aspects, when the first insulative layer 29110 overlays the therapeutic electrode 29102, the spaces 29114 between the multiple rectangular fingers 29112 of the modified E-shape of the first insulative layer 29110 are aligned with the spaces 29108 between the multiple rectangular fingers 29106 of the modified E-shape of the sensing electrode 29104, which are aligned with portions of the therapeutic electrode 29102, which remain uncovered. According to other aspects, the multiple rectangular fingers 29112 of the modified E-shape of the first insulative layer 29110 can be slightly wider than the multiple rectangular fingers 29106 of the modified E-shape of the sensing electrode 29104 (see FIGS. 29 and 30) such that the spaces 29114 can be slightly narrower than the spaces 29108. According to various aspects, the first insulative layer 29110 has a thickness in the range of about 0.001 inches to 0.0003 inches. The first insulative layer 29110 may include any suitable electrically non-conductive material and can be more flexible than either the therapeutic electric 29102 or the sensing electrode 29104.

The flexible electrode 29100 also includes a second insulative layer 29116 positioned to cover the surface of the therapeutic electrode 29102 opposite the surface of the therapeutic electrode 29102, which is partially covered by the first insulative layer 29110 and the sensing electrode 29104. The second insulative layer 29116 can have a rectangular shape which has the same overall length and width as the therapeutic electrode 29102. According to various aspects, the second insulative layer 29116 can have a thickness in the range of about 0.0001 inches to 0.003 inches. The second insulative layer 29116 may include any suitable electrically non-conductive material and can be more flexible than either the therapeutic electric 29102 or the sensing electrode 29104.

Although only one flexible electrode 29100 is shown in FIG. 28 for purposes of clarity, it is understood that the surgical instrument 29000 can include at least two of the flexible electrodes 29100 (e.g., one on the left hand side of a knife slot of the end effector 29006 of the surgical instrument 29000 and one on the right hand side of the knife slot). Additionally, as the flexible electrode 29100 includes multiple components and multiple layers, it will be appreciated that the flexible electrode 29100 can be considered a flexible electrode assembly and/or a multi-layered flexible electrode.

FIGS. 29 and 30 illustrate top views of a flexible electrode assembly 29200, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The flexible electrode assembly 29200 includes two of the flexible electrodes 29100 of FIG. 28, with a first one of the flexible electrodes 29100 a positioned on the left hand side of a knife slot 29202 of the end effector 29006 of the surgical instrument 29000 and a second one of the flexible electrodes 29100 b positioned on the right hand side of the knife slot 29202. With respect to the top views shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the sensing electrodes 29104 a and 29104 b are positioned above and partially cover the therapeutic electrodes 29102 a and 29102 b.

The surfaces of the respective sensing electrodes 29104 a, 29104 b, which can be in direct contact with tissue positioned between the first and second jaws 29012, 29014 of the surgical instrument 29000, are shown as being darkened in FIG. 29. The darkened surfaces in FIG. 29 can be considered sensing electrode patterns. As set forth above, the sensing electrodes 29104 can help to determine the impedance of tissue positioned between the first and second jaws 29012, 29014 of the surgical instrument 29000. When utilized in connection with the therapeutic electrodes 29102, the sensing electrodes 29104 can allow for the detection of approaching transition temperature points associated with the tissue welding as the sensing electrodes 29104 are at a higher pressure than the therapeutic electrodes 29102 are. By utilizing the measurement capability of the sensing electrodes 29104, impedance events can be identified before the inflection points occur in the less compressed zones of the tissue. Additionally, the sensing electrodes 29014 can also allow for measurement of tissue shrinkage if electrical continuity is measured by them. By using the sensing electrodes 29104 to measure continuity rather than impedance, the measured parameter can be indicative of tissue shrinkage rather than water driven out of the tissue. Furthermore, the sensing electrodes 29104 can be utilized to measure both impedance and continuity of the tissue. According to various aspects, the sensing electrodes 29104 can be also used as a conductive gap spacer to control a minimum gap between the first and second jaws 29012, 29014 of the surgical instrument 29000.

The recessed, non-continuous portions of the surfaces of the respective therapeutic electrodes 29102 a, 29102 b, which can be in direct contact with tissue positioned between the jaws of the surgical instrument 29000, are shown as being darkened in FIG. 30. The darkened surfaces in FIG. 30 can be considered therapeutic electrode patterns. Due to the recessed, segmented, non-continuous nature of the surfaces of the therapeutic electrodes 29102 a, 29102 b which can be in direct contact with tissue positioned between the first and second jaws 29012, 29014 of the surgical instrument 29000, the therapeutic electrodes 29102 can mitigate any unwanted tissue sticking when the therapeutic electrodes 29102 are energized. According to various aspects, a given recessed, non-continuous portion of a therapeutic electrode 29102 between two adjacent rectangular shaped fingers 29106 of a sensing electrode 29104 can be in the range of about 0.005″ to 0.0008″ greater in the longitudinal direction than the “length” of one of the rectangular shaped fingers 29106. Stated differently, the surface area of a given recessed, non-continuous portion of a therapeutic electrode 29102 between two adjacent rectangular shaped fingers 29106 of a sensing electrode 29104 can be greater than the surface area of one of the rectangular shaped fingers 29106 of the sensing electrode 29104. According to various aspects, at least one of the recessed, segmented, non-continuous portions of the surfaces of the therapeutic electrodes 29102 can be positioned in an offset or opposed electrode arrangement and can be coupled to a current return path which in turn can be coupled to an electrosurgical generator.

In view of the above, it will be appreciated that the flexible electrode assembly 29200 is a multi-level flexible electrode, which can measure one or more parameters associated with the surgical instrument 29000 and/or tissue positioned between the first and second jaws 29012, 29014 of the surgical instrument 29000 and can also cauterize the tissue.

FIG. 31 illustrates an exploded view of a flexible electrode 29300 of the surgical instrument 29000 of FIG. 22, in accordance with at least one other aspect of the present disclosure. The flexible electrode 29300 of FIG. 31 is similar to the flexible electrode 29100 of FIG. 28, but is different in that the flexible electrode 29300 of FIG. 31 further includes a third insulative layer 29302 positioned to partially cover the surface of the sensing electrode 29104 opposite the surface of the sensing electrode 29104, which is covered by the first insulative layer 29110. The third insulative layer 29302 can have a rectangular shape that has the same overall length as the sensing electrode 29104, the first insulative layer 29110, and/or the therapeutic electrode 29102 but has a width which is less than the width of the sensing electrode 29104, the first insulative layer 29110, the therapeutic electrode 29102, and/or the second insulative layer 29116. For example, according to various aspects, the third insulative layer 29302 can have a width which covers all of the sensing electrode 29104 except for the rectangular shaped fingers 29106. According to other aspects, the third insulative layer 29302 can have a width that does not cover the rectangular shaped fingers 29106 and only partially covers the remaining portion of the sensing electrode 29104. According to various aspects, the third insulative layer 29302 can have a thickness in the range of about 0.0001 inches to 0.003 inches. The third insulative layer 29302 may include any suitable electrically non-conductive material and can be more flexible than either the therapeutic electric 29102 or the sensing electrode 29104.

FIG. 32 illustrates an end view of a flexible electrode 29400 of the surgical instrument 29000 of FIG. 22, in accordance with at least one other aspect of the present disclosure. The flexible electrode 29400 of FIG. 32 is similar to the flexible electrode of FIG. 31 but is different. For the flexible electrode 29400 of FIG. 32, the first insulative layer 29110 extends past the left hand side and the right hand side of the sensing electrode 29104 (relative to FIG. 32), the second insulative layer 29116 extends past the left hand side and the right hand side of the therapeutic electrode 29102, and the third insulative layer 29302 extends past one of the sides of the sensing electrode 29104. In addition, the flexible electrode 29400 of FIG. 32 also includes insulative material 29402, which covers one of the sides of the therapeutic electrode 29102 and one of the sides of the sensing electrode 29102 and connects the first, second, and third insulative layers 29110, 29116, 29302 together. The insulative material 29402 may be similar or identical to the material of the first, second, and/or third insulative layers 29110, 29116, 29302 and can be more flexible than either the therapeutic electrode 29102 or the sensing electrode 29104. Furthermore, the flexible electrode 29400 of FIG. 32 can be a laminar composite construction that allows for multiple portions of the sensing electrode 29104 and/or the therapeutic electrode 29102 to be in contact with tissue positioned between the jaws of the surgical instrument 29000, including portions of the sensing electrode 29104 and/or therapeutic electrode 29102, which are buried within the laminate structure.

FIG. 33 illustrates a top perspective view of a flexible electrode 29500 of the surgical instrument 29000 of FIG. 22, in accordance with at least one other aspect of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 33, the flexible electrode 29500 further includes additional insulative material 29504, which covers the side of the sensing electrode 29104 opposite the side that is covered by the insulative material 29402. The additional insulative material 29504 may be similar or identical to the material of the insulative material 29402 as well as the material of the first, second, and/or third insulative layers 29110, 29116, 29302. The additional insulative material 29504 can be more flexible than either the therapeutic electrode 29102 or the sensing electrode 29104. As shown in FIG. 33, a long thin portion 29506 of the therapeutic electrode 29104 is uncovered and can be in direct contact with tissue positioned between the first and second jaws 29012, 29014 of the surgical instrument 29000. The limited surface area of the long thin uncovered portion 29506 of the therapeutic electrode 29104 can mitigate any unwanted tissue sticking. Similarly, the non-continuous portions of the therapeutic electrode 29102 that are not covered by the first insulative member 29110 and/or the sensing electrode 29104 can also be in direct contact with tissue positioned between the first and second jaws 29012, 29014 of the surgical instrument 29000 and can also mitigate any unwanted tissue sticking.

As set forth above, one or more of the flexible electrodes 29100, 29200, 29300, 29400, 29500 can form part of a flexible circuit 29008 of the surgical instrument 29000. According to various aspects, a termination contact arrangement can enable the flexible circuit 29008 to be easily attached to or connected with other connections and/or circuits within the surgical instrument 29000. The termination contact arrangement can provide strain relief to the flexible circuit 29008 and the strain relief can mitigate damage to the portion of the flexible circuit 29008 adjacent the connection. The termination contact arrangement can also maintain the connection in a water-tight manner. According to various aspects, the termination contact arrangement can be a zero insertion force (ZIF) connector that electrically connects the flexible circuit 29008 with other connections and/or circuits within the surgical instrument 29000. Such a ZIF connector can include both a self-sealing connection against fluids and provide strain relief to the portion of the flexible circuit 29008 adjacent the ZIF connector.

By incorporating therapeutic electrodes 29102 and sensing electrodes 29104 into flexible electrodes, the flexible electrodes can apply RF energy to tissue positioned between the first and second jaws 29012, 29014 of the surgical instrument 29000 while also measuring parameters associated with the tissue and/or the surgical instrument 29000. With the above-described configuration, the sensing electrodes 29104 can continually sense the parameters, even when the therapeutic electrodes 29102 are applying RF energy to the tissue for welding. Additionally, due to the partial overlapping of the “contact surface” of the therapeutic electrodes 29102 by the sensing electrodes 29104 and/or the first insulative layer 29110, the therapeutic electrodes 29102 have less surface area in contact with the tissue and thus are less likely to contribute to unwanted tissue sticking. Furthermore, due to the inherent flexibility of the flexible electrodes, the therapeutic electrodes 29102 are less likely to experience premature failure due to unwanted flexing or deformation than electrodes typically associated with surgical instruments.

FIGS. 21-24 depict a motor-driven surgical instrument 150010 for cutting and fastening that may or may not be reused. In the illustrated examples, the surgical instrument 150010 includes a housing 150012 that comprises a handle assembly 150014 that is configured to be grasped, manipulated, and actuated by the clinician. The housing 150012 is configured for operable attachment to an interchangeable shaft assembly 150200 that has an end effector 150300 operably coupled thereto that is configured to perform one or more surgical tasks or procedures. In accordance with the present disclosure, various forms of interchangeable shaft assemblies may be effectively employed in connection with robotically controlled surgical systems. The term “housing” may encompass a housing or similar portion of a robotic system that houses or otherwise operably supports at least one drive system configured to generate and apply at least one control motion that could be used to actuate interchangeable shaft assemblies. The term “frame” may refer to a portion of a handheld surgical instrument. The term “frame” also may represent a portion of a robotically controlled surgical instrument and/or a portion of the robotic system that may be used to operably control a surgical instrument. Interchangeable shaft assemblies may be employed with various robotic systems, instruments, components, and methods disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,072,535, titled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a surgical instrument 150010 that has an interchangeable shaft assembly 150200 operably coupled thereto, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The housing 150012 includes an end effector 150300 that comprises a surgical cutting and fastening device configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge 150304 therein. The housing 150012 may be configured for use in connection with interchangeable shaft assemblies that include end effectors that are adapted to support different sizes and types of staple cartridges, have different shaft lengths, sizes, and types. The housing 150012 may be employed with a variety of interchangeable shaft assemblies, including assemblies configured to apply other motions and forms of energy, such as RF energy, ultrasonic energy, and/or motion to end effector arrangements adapted for use in connection with various surgical applications and procedures. The end effectors, shaft assemblies, handles, surgical instruments, and/or surgical instrument systems can utilize any suitable fastener, or fasteners, to fasten tissue. For instance, a fastener cartridge comprising a plurality of fasteners removably stored therein can be removably inserted into and/or attached to the end effector of a shaft assembly.

The handle assembly 150014 may comprise a pair of interconnectable handle housing segments 150016, 150018 interconnected by screws, snap features, adhesive, etc. The handle housing segments 150016, 150018 cooperate to form a pistol grip portion 150019 that can be gripped and manipulated by the clinician. The handle assembly 150014 operably supports a plurality of drive systems configured to generate and apply control motions to corresponding portions of the interchangeable shaft assembly that is operably attached thereto. A display may be provided below a cover 150045.

FIG. 35 is an exploded assembly view of a portion of the surgical instrument 150010 of FIG. 34, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The handle assembly 150014 may include a frame 150020 that operably supports a plurality of drive systems. The frame 150020 can operably support a “first” or closure drive system 150030, which can apply closing and opening motions to the interchangeable shaft assembly 150200. The closure drive system 150030 may include an actuator, such as a closure trigger 150032 pivotally supported by the frame 150020. The closure trigger 150032 is pivotally coupled to the handle assembly 150014 by a pivot pin 150033 to enable the closure trigger 150032 to be manipulated by a clinician. When the clinician grips the pistol grip portion 150019 of the handle assembly 150014, the closure trigger 150032 can pivot from a starting or “unactuated” position to an “actuated” position and more particularly to a fully compressed or fully actuated position.

The handle assembly 150014 and the frame 150020 may operably support a firing drive system 150080 configured to apply firing motions to corresponding portions of the interchangeable shaft assembly attached thereto. The firing drive system 150080 may employ an electric motor 150082 located in the pistol grip portion 150019 of the handle assembly 150014. The electric motor 150082 may be a DC brushed motor having a maximum rotational speed of approximately 25,000 RPM, for example. In other arrangements, the motor may include a brushless motor, a cordless motor, a synchronous motor, a stepper motor, or any other suitable electric motor. The electric motor 150082 may be powered by a power source 150090 that may comprise a removable power pack 150092. The removable power pack 150092 may comprise a proximal housing portion 150094 configured to attach to a distal housing portion 150096. The proximal housing portion 150094 and the distal housing portion 150096 are configured to operably support a plurality of batteries 150098 therein. Batteries 150098 may each comprise, for example, an LI or other suitable battery. The distal housing portion 150096 is configured for removable operable attachment to a control circuit board 150100, which is operably coupled to the electric motor 150082. Several batteries 150098 connected in series may power the surgical instrument 150010. The power source 150090 may be replaceable and/or rechargeable. A display 150043, which is located below the cover 150045, is electrically coupled to the control circuit board 150100. The cover 150045 may be removed to expose the display 150043.

The electric motor 150082 can include a rotatable shaft (not shown) that operably interfaces with a gear reducer assembly 150084 mounted in meshing engagement with a set, or rack, of drive teeth 150122 on a longitudinally movable drive member 150120. The longitudinally movable drive member 150120 has a rack of drive teeth 150122 formed thereon for meshing engagement with a corresponding drive gear 150086 of the gear reducer assembly 150084.

In use, a voltage polarity provided by the power source 150090 can operate the electric motor 150082 in a clockwise direction wherein the voltage polarity applied to the electric motor by the battery can be reversed in order to operate the electric motor 150082 in a counter-clockwise direction. When the electric motor 150082 is rotated in one direction, the longitudinally movable drive member 150120 will be axially driven in the distal direction “DD.” When the electric motor 150082 is driven in the opposite rotary direction, the longitudinally movable drive member 150120 will be axially driven in a proximal direction “PD.” The handle assembly 150014 can include a switch that can be configured to reverse the polarity applied to the electric motor 150082 by the power source 150090. The handle assembly 150014 may include a sensor configured to detect the position of the longitudinally movable drive member 150120 and/or the direction in which the longitudinally movable drive member 150120 is being moved.

Actuation of the electric motor 150082 can be controlled by a firing trigger 150130 that is pivotally supported on the handle assembly 150014. The firing trigger 150130 may be pivoted between an unactuated position and an actuated position.

Turning back to FIG. 34, the interchangeable shaft assembly 150200 includes an end effector 150300 comprising an elongated channel 150302 configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge 150304 therein. The end effector 150300 may include an anvil 150306 that is pivotally supported relative to the elongated channel 150302. The interchangeable shaft assembly 150200 may include an articulation joint 150270. Construction and operation of the end effector 150300 and the articulation joint 150270 are set forth in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541, titled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. The interchangeable shaft assembly 150200 may include a proximal housing or nozzle 150201 comprised of nozzle portions 150202, 150203. The interchangeable shaft assembly 150200 may include a closure tube 150260 extending along a shaft axis SA that can be utilized to close and/or open the anvil 150306 of the end effector 150300.

Also on FIG. 34, the closure tube 150260 is translated distally (direction “DD”) to close the anvil 150306, for example, in response to the actuation of the closure trigger 150032 in the manner described in the aforementioned reference U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541. The anvil 150306 is opened by proximally translating the closure tube 150260. In the anvil-open position, the closure tube 150260 is moved to its proximal position.

FIG. 36 is another exploded assembly view of portions of the interchangeable shaft assembly 150200, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The interchangeable shaft assembly 150200 may include a firing member 150220 supported for axial travel within the spine 150210. The firing member 150220 includes an intermediate firing shaft 150222 configured to attach to a distal cutting portion or knife bar 150280. The firing member 150220 may be referred to as a “second shaft” or a “second shaft assembly.” The intermediate firing shaft 150222 may include a longitudinal slot 150223 in a distal end configured to receive a tab 150284 on the proximal end 150282 of the knife bar 150280. The longitudinal slot 150223 and the proximal end 150282 may be configured to permit relative movement therebetween and can comprise a slip joint 150286. The slip joint 150286 can permit the intermediate firing shaft 150222 of the firing member 150220 to articulate the end effector 150300 about the articulation joint 150270 without moving, or at least substantially moving, the knife bar 150280. Once the end effector 150300 has been suitably oriented, the intermediate firing shaft 150222 can be advanced distally until a proximal sidewall of the longitudinal slot 150223 contacts the tab 150284 to advance the knife bar 150280 and fire the staple cartridge positioned within the channel 150302. The spine 150210 has an elongated opening or window 150213 therein to facilitate assembly and insertion of the intermediate firing shaft 150222 into the spine 150210. Once the intermediate firing shaft 150222 has been inserted therein, a top frame segment 150215 may be engaged with the shaft frame 150212 to enclose the intermediate firing shaft 150222 and knife bar 150280 therein. Operation of the firing member 150220 may be found in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541. A spine 150210 can be configured to slidably support a firing member 150220 and the closure tube 150260 that extends around the spine 150210. The spine 150210 may slidably support an articulation driver 150230.

The interchangeable shaft assembly 150200 can include a clutch assembly 150400 configured to selectively and releasably couple the articulation driver 150230 to the firing member 150220. The clutch assembly 150400 includes a lock collar, or lock sleeve 150402, positioned around the firing member 150220 wherein the lock sleeve 150402 can be rotated between an engaged position in which the lock sleeve 150402 couples the articulation driver 150230 to the firing member 150220 and a disengaged position in which the articulation driver 150230 is not operably coupled to the firing member 150220. When the lock sleeve 150402 is in the engaged position, distal movement of the firing member 150220 can move the articulation driver 150230 distally and, correspondingly, proximal movement of the firing member 150220 can move the articulation driver 150230 proximally. When the lock sleeve 150402 is in the disengaged position, movement of the firing member 150220 is not transmitted to the articulation driver 150230 and, as a result, the firing member 150220 can move independently of the articulation driver 150230. The nozzle 150201 may be employed to operably engage and disengage the articulation drive system with the firing drive system in the various manners described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541.

The interchangeable shaft assembly 150200 can comprise a slip ring assembly 150600, which can be configured to conduct electrical power to and/or from the end effector 150300 and/or communicate signals to and/or from the end effector 150300, for example. The slip ring assembly 150600 can comprise a proximal connector flange 150604 and a distal connector flange 150601 positioned within a slot defined in the nozzle portions 150202, 150203. The proximal connector flange 150604 can comprise a first face, and the distal connector flange 150601 can comprise a second face positioned adjacent to and movable relative to the first face. The distal connector flange 150601 can rotate relative to the proximal connector flange 150604 about the shaft axis SA-SA (FIG. 34). The proximal connector flange 150604 can comprise a plurality of concentric, or at least substantially concentric, conductors 150602 defined in the first face thereof. A connector 150607 can be mounted on the proximal side of the distal connector flange 150601 and may have a plurality of contacts wherein each contact corresponds to and is in electrical contact with one of the conductors 150602. Such an arrangement permits relative rotation between the proximal connector flange 150604 and the distal connector flange 150601 while maintaining electrical contact therebetween. The proximal connector flange 150604 can include an electrical connector 150606 that can place the conductors 150602 in signal communication with a shaft circuit board, for example. In at least one instance, a wiring harness comprising a plurality of conductors can extend between the electrical connector 150606 and the shaft circuit board. The electrical connector 150606 may extend proximally through a connector opening defined in the chassis mounting flange. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263551, titled STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263552, titled STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, is incorporated by reference in its entirety. Further details regarding slip ring assembly 150600 may be found in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541.

The interchangeable shaft assembly 150200 can include a proximal portion fixably mounted to the handle assembly 150014 and a distal portion that is rotatable about a longitudinal axis. The rotatable distal shaft portion can be rotated relative to the proximal portion about the slip ring assembly 150600. The distal connector flange 150601 of the slip ring assembly 150600 can be positioned within the rotatable distal shaft portion.

FIG. 37 is an exploded view of one aspect of an end effector 150300 of the surgical instrument 150010 of FIG. 34, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The end effector 150300 may include the anvil 150306 and the surgical staple cartridge 150304. The anvil 150306 may be coupled to an elongated channel 150302. Apertures 150199 can be defined in the elongated channel 150302 to receive pins 150152 extending from the anvil 150306 to allow the anvil 150306 to pivot from an open position to a closed position relative to the elongated channel 150302 and surgical staple cartridge 150304. A firing bar 150172 is configured to longitudinally translate into the end effector 150300. The firing bar 150172 may be constructed from one solid section or may include a laminate material comprising a stack of steel plates. The firing bar 150172 comprises an I-beam 150178 and a cutting edge 150182 at a distal end thereof. A distally projecting end of the firing bar 150172 can be attached to the I-beam 150178 to assist in spacing the anvil 150306 from a surgical staple cartridge 150304 positioned in the elongated channel 150302 when the anvil 150306 is in a closed position. The I-beam 150178 may include a sharpened cutting edge 150182 to sever tissue as the I-beam 150178 is advanced distally by the firing bar 150172. In operation, the I-beam 150178 may fire the surgical staple cartridge 150304. The surgical staple cartridge 150304 can include a molded cartridge body 150194 that holds a plurality of staples 150191 resting upon staple drivers 150192 within respective upwardly open staple cavities 150195. A wedge sled 150190 is driven distally by the I-beam 150178, sliding upon a cartridge tray 150196 of the surgical staple cartridge 150304. The wedge sled 150190 upwardly cams the staple drivers 150192 to force out the staples 150191 into deforming contact with the anvil 150306 while the cutting edge 150182 of the I-beam 150178 severs clamped tissue.

The I-beam 150178 can include upper pins 150180 that engage the anvil 150306 during firing. The I-beam 150178 may include middle pins 150184 and a bottom foot 150186 to engage portions of the cartridge body 150194, cartridge tray 150196, and elongated channel 150302. When a surgical staple cartridge 150304 is positioned within the elongated channel 150302, a slot 150193 defined in the cartridge body 150194 can be aligned with a longitudinal slot 150197 defined in the cartridge tray 150196 and a slot 150189 defined in the elongated channel 150302. In use, the I-beam 150178 can slide through the aligned longitudinal slots 150193, 150197, and 150189 wherein, as indicated in FIG. 24, the bottom foot 150186 of the I-beam 150178 can engage a groove running along the bottom surface of elongated channel 150302 along the length of slot 150189, the middle pins 150184 can engage the top surfaces of cartridge tray 150196 along the length of longitudinal slot 150197, and the upper pins 150180 can engage the anvil 150306. The I-beam 150178 can space, or limit the relative movement between, the anvil 150306 and the surgical staple cartridge 150304 as the firing bar 150172 is advanced distally to fire the staples from the surgical staple cartridge 150304 and/or incise the tissue captured between the anvil 150306 and the surgical staple cartridge 150304. The firing bar 150172 and the I-beam 150178 can be retracted proximally, allowing the anvil 150306 to be opened to release the two stapled and severed tissue portions.

FIGS. 38A and 38B are a block diagram of a control circuit 150700 of the surgical instrument 150010 of FIG. 34 spanning two drawing sheets, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. Referring primarily to FIGS. 38A and 38B, a handle assembly 150702 may include a motor 150714, which can be controlled by a motor driver 150715 and can be employed by the firing system of the surgical instrument 150010. In various forms, the motor 150714 may be a DC brushed driving motor having a maximum rotational speed of approximately 25,000 RPM. In other arrangements, the motor 150714 may include a brushless motor, a cordless motor, a synchronous motor, a stepper motor, or any other suitable electric motor. The motor driver 150715 may comprise an H-Bridge driver comprising FETs 150719, for example. The motor 150714 can be powered by the power assembly 150706 releasably mounted to the handle assembly 150200 for supplying control power to the surgical instrument 150010. The power assembly 150706 may comprise a battery that may include a number of battery cells connected in series that can be used as the power source to power the surgical instrument 150010. In certain circumstances, the battery cells of the power assembly 150706 may be replaceable and/or rechargeable. In at least one example, the battery cells can be LI batteries, which can be separably couplable to the power assembly 150706.

The shaft assembly 150704 may include a shaft assembly controller 150722, which can communicate with a safety controller and power management controller 150716 through an interface while the shaft assembly 150704 and the power assembly 150706 are coupled to the handle assembly 150702. For example, the interface may comprise a first interface portion 150725, which may include one or more electric connectors for coupling engagement with corresponding shaft assembly electric connectors, and a second interface portion 150727, which may include one or more electric connectors for coupling engagement with corresponding power assembly electric connectors to permit electrical communication between the shaft assembly controller 150722 and the power management controller 150716 while the shaft assembly 150704 and the power assembly 150706 are coupled to the handle assembly 150702. One or more communication signals can be transmitted through the interface to communicate one or more of the power requirements of the attached interchangeable shaft assembly 150704 to the power management controller 150716. In response, the power management controller may modulate the power output of the battery of the power assembly 150706, as described below in greater detail, in accordance with the power requirements of the attached shaft assembly 150704. The connectors may comprise switches that can be activated after mechanical coupling engagement of the handle assembly 150702 to the shaft assembly 150704 and/or to the power assembly 150706 to allow electrical communication between the shaft assembly controller 150722 and the power management controller 150716.

The interface can facilitate transmission of the one or more communication signals between the power management controller 150716 and the shaft assembly controller 150722 by routing such communication signals through a main controller 150717 residing in the handle assembly 150702, for example. In other circumstances, the interface can facilitate a direct line of communication between the power management controller 150716 and the shaft assembly controller 150722 through the handle assembly 150702 while the shaft assembly 150704 and the power assembly 150706 are coupled to the handle assembly 150702.

The main controller 150717 may be any single core or multicore processor, such as those known under the trade name ARM Cortex by Texas Instruments. In one aspect, the main controller 150717 may be an LM4F230H5QR ARM Cortex-M4F Processor Core, available from Texas Instruments, for example, comprising on-chip memory of 256 KB single-cycle flash memory, or other non-volatile memory, up to 40 MHz, a prefetch buffer to improve performance above 40 MHz, a 32 KB single-cycle SRAM, internal ROM loaded with StellarisWare® software, 2 KB EEPROM, one or more PWM modules, one or more QEI analog, or one or more 12-bit ADCs with 12 analog input channels, details of which are available for the product datasheet.

The safety controller may be a safety controller platform comprising two controller-based families, such as TMS570 and RM4x, known under the trade name Hercules ARM Cortex R4, also by Texas Instruments. The safety controller may be configured specifically for IEC 61508 and ISO 26262 safety critical applications, among others, to provide advanced integrated safety features while delivering scalable performance, connectivity, and memory options.

The power assembly 150706 may include a power management circuit that may comprise the power management controller 150716, a power modulator 150738, and a current sensor circuit 150736. The power management circuit can be configured to modulate power output of the battery based on the power requirements of the shaft assembly 150704 while the shaft assembly 150704 and the power assembly 150706 are coupled to the handle assembly 150702. The power management controller 150716 can be programmed to control the power modulator 150738 of the power output of the power assembly 150706 and the current sensor circuit 150736 can be employed to monitor power output of the power assembly 150706 to provide feedback to the power management controller 150716 about the power output of the battery so that the power management controller 150716 may adjust the power output of the power assembly 150706 to maintain a desired output. The power management controller 150716 and/or the shaft assembly controller 150722 each may comprise one or more processors and/or memory units that may store a number of software modules.

The surgical instrument 150010 (FIGS. 34-37) may comprise an output device 150742, which may include devices for providing a sensory feedback to a user. Such devices may comprise, for example, visual feedback devices (e.g., a liquid-crystal display (LCD) screen, LED indicators), audio feedback devices (e.g., a speaker, a buzzer), or tactile feedback devices (e.g., haptic actuators). In certain circumstances, the output device 150742 may comprise a display 150743, which may be included in the handle assembly 150702. The shaft assembly controller 150722 and/or the power management controller 150716 can provide feedback to a user of the surgical instrument 150010 through the output device 150742. The interface can be configured to connect the shaft assembly controller 150722 and/or the power management controller 150716 to the output device 150742. The output device 150742 can instead be integrated with the power assembly 150706. In such circumstances, communication between the output device 150742 and the shaft assembly controller 150722 may be accomplished through the interface while the shaft assembly 150704 is coupled to the handle assembly 150702.

The control circuit 150700 comprises circuit segments configured to control operations of the powered surgical instrument 150010. A safety controller segment (Segment 1) comprises a safety controller and the main controller 150717 segment (Segment 2). The safety controller and/or the main controller 150717 are configured to interact with one or more additional circuit segments, such as an acceleration segment, a display segment, a shaft segment, an encoder segment, a motor segment, and a power segment. Each of the circuit segments may be coupled to the safety controller and/or the main controller 150717. The main controller 150717 is also coupled to a flash memory. The main controller 150717 also comprises a serial communication interface. The main controller 150717 comprises a plurality of inputs coupled to, for example, one or more circuit segments, a battery, and/or a plurality of switches. The segmented circuit may be implemented by any suitable circuit, such as, for example, a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) within the powered surgical instrument 150010. It should be understood that the term processor as used herein includes any microprocessor, processors, controller, controllers, or other basic computing device that incorporates the functions of a computer's CPU on an integrated circuit or, at most, a few integrated circuits. The main controller 150717 is a multipurpose, programmable device that accepts digital data as input, processes it according to instructions stored in its memory, and provides results as output. It is an example of sequential digital logic, as it has internal memory. The control circuit 150700 can be configured to implement one or more of the processes described herein.

The acceleration segment (Segment 3) comprises an accelerometer. The accelerometer is configured to detect movement or acceleration of the powered surgical instrument 150010. Input from the accelerometer may be used to transition to and from a sleep mode, identify an orientation of the powered surgical instrument, and/or identify when the surgical instrument has been dropped. In some examples, the acceleration segment is coupled to the safety controller and/or the main controller 150717.

The display segment (Segment 4) comprises a display connector coupled to the main controller 150717. The display connector couples the main controller 150717 to a display through one or more integrated circuit drivers of the display. The integrated circuit drivers of the display may be integrated with the display and/or may be located separately from the display. The display may comprise any suitable display, such as, for example, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, an LCD, and/or any other suitable display. In some examples, the display segment is coupled to the safety controller.

The shaft segment (Segment 5) comprises controls for an interchangeable shaft assembly 150200 (FIGS. 34 and 36) coupled to the surgical instrument 150010 (FIGS. 34-37) and/or one or more controls for an end effector 150300 coupled to the interchangeable shaft assembly 150200. The shaft segment comprises a shaft connector configured to couple the main controller 150717 to a shaft PCBA. The shaft PCBA comprises a low-power microcontroller with a ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), an articulation switch, a shaft release Hall-effect switch, and a shaft PCBA EEPROM. The shaft PCBA EEPROM comprises one or more parameters, routines, and/or programs specific to the interchangeable shaft assembly 150200 and/or the shaft PCBA. The shaft PCBA may be coupled to the interchangeable shaft assembly 150200 and/or integral with the surgical instrument 150010. In some examples, the shaft segment comprises a second shaft EEPROM. The second shaft EEPROM comprises a plurality of algorithms, routines, parameters, and/or other data corresponding to one or more shaft assemblies 150200 and/or end effectors 150300 that may be interfaced with the powered surgical instrument 150010.

The position encoder segment (Segment 6) comprises one or more magnetic angle rotary position encoders. The one or more magnetic angle rotary position encoders are configured to identify the rotational position of the motor 150714, an interchangeable shaft assembly 150200 (FIGS. 34 and 36), and/or an end effector 150300 of the surgical instrument 150010 (FIGS. 34-37). In some examples, the magnetic angle rotary position encoders may be coupled to the safety controller and/or the main controller 150717.

The motor circuit segment (Segment 7) comprises a motor 150714 configured to control movements of the powered surgical instrument 150010 (FIGS. 34-37). The motor 150714 is coupled to the main microcontroller processor 150717 by an H-bridge driver comprising one or more H-bridge FETs and a motor controller. The H-bridge driver is also coupled to the safety controller. A motor current sensor is coupled in series with the motor to measure the current draw of the motor. The motor current sensor is in signal communication with the main controller 150717 and/or the safety controller. In some examples, the motor 150714 is coupled to a motor electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter.

The motor controller controls a first motor flag and a second motor flag to indicate the status and position of the motor 150714 to the main controller 150717. The main controller 150717 provides a PWM high signal, a PWM low signal, a direction signal, a synchronize signal, and a motor reset signal to the motor controller through a buffer. The power segment is configured to provide a segment voltage to each of the circuit segments.

The power segment (Segment 8) comprises a battery coupled to the safety controller, the main controller 150717, and additional circuit segments. The battery is coupled to the segmented circuit by a battery connector and a current sensor. The current sensor is configured to measure the total current draw of the segmented circuit. In some examples, one or more voltage converters are configured to provide predetermined voltage values to one or more circuit segments. For example, in some examples, the segmented circuit may comprise 3.3V voltage converters and/or 5V voltage converters. A boost converter is configured to provide a boost voltage up to a predetermined amount, such as, for example, up to 13V. The boost converter is configured to provide additional voltage and/or current during power-intensive operations and prevent brownout or low-power conditions.

A plurality of switches are coupled to the safety controller and/or the main controller 150717. The switches may be configured to control operations of the surgical instrument 150010 (FIGS. 34-37), of the segmented circuit, and/or indicate a status of the surgical instrument 150010. A bail-out door switch and Hall-effect switch for bailout are configured to indicate the status of a bail-out door. A plurality of articulation switches, such as, for example, a left-side articulation left switch, a left-side articulation right switch, a left-side articulation center switch, a right-side articulation left switch, a right-side articulation right switch, and a right-side articulation center switch are configured to control articulation of an interchangeable shaft assembly 150200 (FIGS. 34 and 36) and/or the end effector 150300 (FIGS. 34-37). A left-side reverse switch and a right-side reverse switch are coupled to the main controller 150717. The left-side switches comprising the left-side articulation left switch, the left-side articulation right switch, the left-side articulation center switch, and the left-side reverse switch are coupled to the main controller 150717 by a left flex connector. The right-side switches comprising the right-side articulation left switch, the right-side articulation right switch, the right-side articulation center switch, and the right-side reverse switch are coupled to the main controller 150717 by a right flex connector. A firing switch, a clamp release switch, and a shaft engaged switch are coupled to the main controller 150717.

Any suitable mechanical, electromechanical, or solid state switches may be employed to implement the plurality of switches, in any combination. For example, the switches may be limit switches operated by the motion of components associated with the surgical instrument 150010 (FIGS. 34-37) or the presence of an object. Such switches may be employed to control various functions associated with the surgical instrument 150010. A limit switch is an electromechanical device that consists of an actuator mechanically linked to a set of contacts. When an object comes into contact with the actuator, the device operates the contacts to make or break an electrical connection. Limit switches are used in a variety of applications and environments because of their ruggedness, ease of installation, and reliability of operation. They can determine the presence or absence, passing, positioning, and end of travel of an object. In other implementations, the switches may be solid state switches that operate under the influence of a magnetic field, such as Hall-effect devices, MR devices, GMR devices, and magnetometers, among others. In other implementations, the switches may be solid state switches that operate under the influence of light, such as optical sensors, IR sensors, and ultraviolet sensors, among others. Still, the switches may be solid state devices such as transistors (e.g., FET, Junction-FET, MOSFET, bipolar, and the like). Other switches may include wireless switches, ultrasonic switches, accelerometers, and inertial sensors, among others.

FIG. 39 is another block diagram of the control circuit 150700 of the surgical instrument of FIG. 34 illustrating interfaces between the handle assembly 150702 and the power assembly 150706 and between the handle assembly 150702 and the interchangeable shaft assembly 150704, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The handle assembly 150702 may comprise a main controller 150717, a shaft assembly connector 150726, and a power assembly connector 150730. The power assembly 150706 may include a power assembly connector 150732, a power management circuit 150734 that may comprise the power management controller 150716, a power modulator 150738, and a current sensor circuit 150736. The shaft assembly connectors 150730, 150732 form an interface 150727. The power management circuit 150734 can be configured to modulate power output of the battery 150707 based on the power requirements of the interchangeable shaft assembly 150704, while the interchangeable shaft assembly 150704 and the power assembly 150706 are coupled to the handle assembly 150702. The power management controller 150716 can be programmed to control the power modulator 150738 of the power output of the power assembly 150706, and the current sensor circuit 150736 can be employed to monitor power output of the power assembly 150706 to provide feedback to the power management controller 150716 about the power output of the battery 150707 so that the power management controller 150716 may adjust the power output of the power assembly 150706 to maintain a desired output. The shaft assembly 150704 comprises a shaft processor 150720 coupled to a non-volatile memory 150721 and shaft assembly connector 150728 to electrically couple the shaft assembly 150704 to the handle assembly 150702. The shaft assembly connectors 150726, 150728 form interface 150725. The main controller 150717, the shaft processor 150720, and/or the power management controller 150716 can be configured to implement one or more of the processes described herein.

The surgical instrument 150010 (FIGS. 34-37) may comprise an output device 150742 to a sensory feedback to a user. Such devices may comprise visual feedback devices (e.g., an LCD display screen, LED indicators), audio feedback devices (e.g., a speaker, a buzzer), or tactile feedback devices (e.g., haptic actuators). In certain circumstances, the output device 150742 may comprise a display 150743 that may be included in the handle assembly 150702. The shaft assembly controller 150722 and/or the power management controller 150716 can provide feedback to a user of the surgical instrument 150010 through the output device 150742. The interface 150727 can be configured to connect the shaft assembly controller 150722 and/or the power management controller 150716 to the output device 150742. The output device 150742 can be integrated with the power assembly 150706. Communication between the output device 150742 and the shaft assembly controller 150722 may be accomplished through the interface 150725 while the interchangeable shaft assembly 150704 is coupled to the handle assembly 150702.

Tissue Marking

In various surgical procedures, surgical instruments seal tissue by application of energy or deployment of staples into the tissue. The surgical instruments may also sever or cut the sealed tissue. In a surgical procedure, one or more surgical instruments can be applied to several discrete tissue portions of a tissue being treated if the tissue size is greater than a maximum tissue size that can be handled by a surgical instrument in a single application. If a leak occurs in one of the treated tissue portions, it can be difficult to identify a surgical instrument, or a component thereof such as a staple cartridge, that was involved. Without such identification, it becomes difficult to determine the cause of the leak.

Aspects of the present disclosure present a surgical instrument that includes an end effector configured to apply a tissue treatment to tissue. The end effector includes a first jaw, a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw to grasp tissue therebetween, and a tissue-treatment mechanism configured to apply a tissue treatment to tissue grasped between the first jaw and the second jaw. In addition, the surgical instrument includes a marking assembly configured to apply a distinct marking to the tissue unique to each tissue treatment application, wherein the distinct marking distinguishes the tissue treatment application from other tissue treatment applications performed by the surgical instrument or other surgical instruments.

In various aspects, the tissue treatment mechanism comprises a staple cartridge configured to apply a tissue treatment application by deploying staples into tissue grasped by an end effector. In other aspects, the tissue treatment mechanism comprises an energy device configured to apply a tissue treatment application by delivering therapeutic energy to tissue grasped by an end effector. The energy delivered by the energy device can be in the form of RF energy or ultrasonic energy, for example.

In various aspects, the tissue treatment mechanism comprises a transection member movable to apply tissue treatment application by transecting the grasped tissue. One or both of the jaws of the end effector may include longitudinal slots configured to accommodate the transection member. The transection member may include a cutting edge at a distal portion thereof.

FIG. 40 illustrates a logic flow diagram of a process 31010 depicting a control program or a logic configuration for marking tissue treated by an end effector of a surgical instrument, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. In one aspect, as described in greater detail below, the process 31010 is executed by a control circuit 500 (FIG. 13). In another aspect, the process 31010 can be executed by a combinational logic circuit 510 (FIG. 14). In yet another aspect, the process 31010 can be executed by a sequential logic circuit 520 (FIG. 15).

In the example of FIGS. 41-44, tissue is treated by an end effector 31000 of a surgical stapling and cutting instrument 31006 and is marked by a marking assembly 31020 of a control system 31470.

The surgical instrument 31006 is similar in many respects to the surgical instrument 150010. For example, the end effector 31000 and the control system 31470 are similar in many respects to the end effector 150300 and the control circuit 470 (FIG. 12), respectively. Components of the surgical instrument 31006 that are similar to above-described components of the surgical instrument 150010 are not repeated herein in detail for conciseness.

The end effector 31000 includes a first jaw 31001 and a second jaw 31002 extending from an interchangeable shaft assembly 150200. The end effector 31000 further includes an anvil defined in the first jaw 31001 and a staple cartridge 31005 defined in the second jaw 31002. At least one of the first jaw 31001 and the second jaw 31002 is movable relative to the other to transition the end effector 26000 between an open configuration and a closed configuration to grasp tissue between the anvil and the staple cartridge 31005. In operation, a tissue treatment by the surgical instrument 31006 involves deploying staples from the staple cartridge 26005 by a firing member into the grasped tissue. The deployed staples are deformed by the anvil. In various aspects, the tissue can also be treated by transection using a cutting member movable relative to a longitudinal slot 31007 defined in at least one of the first jaw 31001 and the second jaw 31002.

In various aspects, a surgical instrument, in accordance with the present disclosure, may include an end effector that treats tissue by application of RF or ultrasonic energy to tissue. In various aspects, the surgical instrument 26010 can be a handheld surgical instrument. Alternatively, the surgical instrument 26010 can be incorporated into a robotic system as a component of a robotic arm. Additional details on robotic systems are disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/611,339, filed Dec. 28, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Referring again to FIG. 40, the process 31010 includes receiving 31011 sensor signals indicative of application of a tissue treatment. If it is determined 31012, based on the received sensor signals, that a tissue treatment has been, or is being, applied to the tissue, a distinct marking is applied 31013 to the tissue. The distinct marking is unique to the tissue treatment application and can be utilized to distinguish the tissue treatment application from other tissue treatment applications.

Referring to FIG. 44, in various aspects, the process 31010 can be performed by a control system 31470 of the surgical instrument 31006. The control system 31470 is similar in many respects to the control system 470 (FIG. 12). For example, the control system 31470 includes a control circuit that has a microcontroller 470. A number of sensors 472, 474, 476, 31473 provide various sensor signals to the microcontroller 470. One or more of such sensor signals can be analyzed alone, or in combination with other sensor signals, to determine whether a tissue treatment has been, or is being, applied to tissue. The control system 31470 further includes a marking assembly 31020 in communication with the microcontroller 470. After determining that a tissue treatment has been, or is being, applied to tissue, the microcontroller 470 causes the marking assembly 31020 to mark the tissue.

In various instances, the marking of the tissue by the marking assembly 31020 can be triggered by input from an operator of the surgical instrument 31006, which can be delivered through a user interface such as, for example, the display 473. Alternatively, or in addition, the marking of the tissue can be triggered by one or more sensor signals.

In one example, readings from the strain gauge sensor 474, which can be used to measure the force applied to tissue grasped by the end effector 31000, can trigger the tissue marking. The microcontroller 461, upon receipt of a sensor signal from the sensor 474 beyond a predetermined threshold, which indicates that tissue is grasped by the end effector 31000, may cause the marking assembly 31020 to mark the tissue.

In one example, readings from an activation sensor 31473, which can be used to detect deployment of staples or energy application to tissue, can trigger the tissue marking. The microcontroller 461, upon receipt of a sensor signal from the sensor 31473 beyond a predetermined threshold, may instruct the marking assembly 31020 to mark the tissue.

In the example of FIGS. 41 and 43, the marking assembly 31020 includes two marking applicators 31021, 31022 disposed on the second jaw 31002. More specifically, the applicator 31021 is disposed on a proximal portion 31008 of a staple cartridge 31005 assembled with the second jaw 31002, while the applicator 31022 is disposed on a distal portion 31009 of the staple cartridge 31005. In other arrangements, more or less than two applicators can be disposed onto one or more jaws of an end effector to apply markings to tissue treated by the end effector.

Each of the applicators 31021, 31022 includes markers 31023, which are arranged in a predetermined pattern. As illustrated in FIG. 44, the markers 31023 of the applicators 31021, 31022 are arranged in three rows. Also, the applicators 31021, 31022 comprise the same number and arrangement of markers 31023. In certain instances, however, the markers of an applicator can be arranged in any suitable arrangement. Different applicators may comprise the same or different marker arrangements. In certain instances, all of the markers of an applicator are activated to generate a tissue marking. In other instances, only some of the markers of an applicator are activated to generate a tissue marking. The activation of the markers can be controlled by the microcontroller 461 to yield a predetermined marking.

In various instances, the markers 31023 can be configured to apply their individual marks at the same intensity. Alternatively, the markers 31023 can be configured to apply their individual marks at different intensities. The intensity of the marks can be controlled by the microcontroller 461 to yield a predetermined marking.

In various instances, as illustrated in FIG. 41, the applicators 31021, 31022 are arranged at proximal and distal portions 31008, 31009, respectively, of the second jaw 31002. This arrangement allows the applicators 31021, 31022 to apply their markings proximal and distal to a tissue treatment, which can assist in identifying the beginning and end of the tissue treatment.

In various instances, one or more of the markings are detectable through stimulation by at least one of a light source, a radiation source, and an illumination source. In certain instances, the markers 31023 are configured to apply one or more fluorescent materials to the tissue causing the markings to be visible only in the presence of a light source outside of the visible spectrum. In other words, the markings will fluoresce under an applied light source outside of the visible spectrum.

In certain instances, the makers 31023 are configured to use an IR readable ink formulation in generating the markings. The ink formulation can be based on absorption and reflection of light in the IR. As illustrated in FIG. 45, the markers 31023 can be configured to generate unique IR ink markings 31035, 31037.

In certain instances, the markers 31023 are in the form of electrodes that are selectively activatable by the microcontroller 461 to generate the markings. The microcontroller 461 may control the intensity of each mark by controlling the activation time of the electrodes. The longer an electrode is activated, the greater the intensity of the mark. Segmentation can be introduced within the electrodes to leave a distinctive marking. In certain instances, the markers 31023 can be equipped with RF electrodes, including a series of micro electrodes configured to weld an optically identifiable distinct marking for each application of a tissue treatment.

Referring to FIGS. 42 and 45, eight tissue portions received eight treatments performed by an end effector 31030 of a surgical instrument 31036. FIG. 43 depicts a jaw 31002 of the end effector 31030. In each of the eight treatments, the end effector 31030 grasped a tissue portion, sealed the tissue portion, and cut the tissue portion. The treatments were applied in a particular order, as illustrated in FIG. 45, to separate a cancerous portion of the colon from neighboring tissue T. A marking assembly 31033, which includes applicators 31031, 31032, applied distinct tissue markings to each tissue portion with each treatment.

The surgical instrument 31036 is similar in many respects to the surgical instruments 31006, 150010. For example, the end effector 31000 is similar in many respects to the end effectors 31000, 150300. Components of the surgical instrument 31036 that are similar to above-described components of the surgical instruments 31006, 150010 are not repeated herein in detail for conciseness.

In the example of FIG. 42, the applicators 31031, 31032 are disposed at a proximal portion 31009 of a second jaw 31034 on opposite sides 31038, 31039 of a transection path defined by the longitudinal slot 31007 along a longitudinal axis LA. In this arrangement, each side of the transected tissue receives a distinct marking.

In various instances, as illustrated in FIG. 45, the marking could be made in such an order that the sequence of the marks from one use to the next provides a distinct marking for a sequence of consecutive treatments. This would allow a unique marking over a series of treatments in addition to the markings associated with individual treatments. Said another way, the markings associated with related treatments may include a common identifier in addition to their unique identifiers. Treatments can be related by virtue of being fired consecutively in a surgical procedure or by a single surgical instrument.

In various aspects, the surgical instruments of the present disclosure such as, for example, the surgical instruments 26010, 31006, 310036 are communicatively coupled to a surgical hub (e.g., surgical hubs 106 (FIG. 2, FIG. 3), 206 (FIG. 10)) through a wired and/or wireless communication channels. Data gathered by such surgical instruments can be transmitted to the surgical hub 106, 206, which may further transmit the data to a cloud-based system (e.g., cloud-based systems 104, 204), for additional analysis.

Further to the above, a visualization system (e.g., visualization systems 108 (FIG. 3), 208 (FIG. 9)), may record frames of the marked tissue for subsequent identification after a surgical instrument is moved from a surgical site. The data from the surgical instrument and the frames recorded by a visualization system and can be transmitted to a surgical hub, which may time stamp and/or correlate the data received from both sources. The data can also be forwarded to the cloud-based system for additional analysis.

This process can be helpful in analyzing failures. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 45, a leak 31039 has occurred at the seventh tissue treatment. The distinct marking at the seventh tissue treatment, which is recorded by the visualization system, will help identify the surgical instrument that performed the seventh treatment. Accordingly, the operational data 31040 at the seventh treatment can be examined and compared to operational data 31042 of the same surgical instrument within the same environment that yielded successful application of similar treatments. As described above, the markings of a single surgical procedure or those created by a single surgical instrument may include a common identifier allowing for a quick comparison of the operational data 31040 and the operational data 31042.

In the example of FIG. 45, the operation data at the first tissue treatment application, which yielded a successful seal, is compared to the operational data at the seventh tissue treatment application, which yielded the leak. In comparing the two data sets, it becomes clear that the leak was caused by an unusual drop in clamp force, which can be addressed in subsequent tissue treatments with the same or similar surgical instruments. In other instances, the operational data of the surgical instrument associated with a failure are compared to preset standards.

In certain instances, the above-described failure analysis can be performed by a surgical hub in real time during a surgical procedure. Leak detection and deciphering tissue marking can be performed by various image processing techniques. The surgical operator can be guided back to the surgical site with the aid of the surgical hub by identify anatomical landmarks and the inherent variable shading of the tissues using a dot-by-dot analysis technique. In certain instances, landmarks can be identified and acquired by observing hot spots in tissue after energy application.

Data Transmission Prioritization

Various data can be gathered and/or generated by a powered surgical instrument during a surgical procedure. For example, a powered surgical stapling and cutting instrument may collect, among other things, force-to-clamp (FTC) and force-to-fire (FTF) readings, which can be transmitted to a surgical hub that further transmits the data to a cloud-based system for additional processing. A communication pathway between the powered surgical instrument and the surgical hub has a predetermined bandwidth. Likewise, a communication pathway between the surgical hub and the cloud-based system also has a predetermined bandwidth. In certain instances, various environmental interferences may further limit such bandwidths. Moreover, various data sources may compete for the limited bandwidths.

During a surgical procedure, a surgical hub may react to the received data by adjusting various parameters at its control in real time. Depending on the surgical step being performed, certain data sources and/or surgical activities become more important than others. Transmitting the data without considering its importance may interfere with operation of the surgical hub and its ability to make timely decisions. Likewise, a delay in data transmission due to bandwidth limits may interfere with operation of the surgical hub and its ability to make timely decisions.

In various aspects, a surgical system 32002 is used in a surgical procedure. The surgical system 32002 includes a surgical hub (e.g., surgical hub 106 (FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 49), surgical hub 206 (FIG. 10)), a powered surgical instrument (e.g., Device/Instrument 235 (FIG. 9), surgical instrument 32235 (FIG. 49)), and a communication module 32004 (FIG. 49). The communication module 32004 includes a shift/register 32005 and a transceiver 32007.

FIG. 48 illustrates a logic flow diagram of a process 32000 depicting a control program or a logic configuration for coordinating transmission of data between the powered surgical instrument 32235 and a surgical hub (e.g., surgical hub 106 (FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 49), surgical hub 206 (FIG. 10)), in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The process 32000 includes receiving 32006 first data regarding a first surgical activity of the surgical procedure, receiving 32008 second data regarding a second surgical activity of the surgical procedure, selecting 32010 transmission rates for transmission the first data and the second data between the powered surgical instrument 32235 and the surgical hub 106 based on at least one characteristic of at least one of the first surgical activity and the second surgical activity, and transmitting 32012 the first data and the second data between the powered surgical instrument and the surgical hub at the selected transmission rates.

In at least one example, the process 32000 selects or adjusts transmission rates for transmission of the first data and the second data between the powered surgical instrument 32235 and the surgical hub 106 based on at least one characteristic of at least one of the first surgical activity and the second surgical activity and available bandwidth. The communication module 32004 may determine available bandwidth, which may change over time based on various factors such as, for example, interference and other environmental factors.

FIG. 49 illustrates a control system 32470 of the surgical instrument 32235, which can be employed to execute the process of FIG. 48. The control system 32470 is similar in many respects to the control system 470 (FIG. 12). In various aspects, the process 32000 can be executed by the communication module 32004 of the surgical instrument 32235, which includes a microcontroller 461 coupled to sensors 472, 474, 476, as illustrated in FIG. 49.

In various aspects, the first data can be received from a first source and the second data received from a second source different than the first source. The first source and/or the second source may be any of the sensors 472, 474, 476, for example.

In various aspects, the surgical instrument 32235 is similar in many respects to the surgical instruments 235 (FIG. 9), 150010 (FIG. 35). For example, like the surgical instrument 150010, the surgical instrument 32235 includes an end effector 150300 transitionable, in a first surgical activity, from an open configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 25, to a closed configuration to grasp tissue. A motor 482 (FIG. 49) may drive the transition of the end effector 150300 between the open configuration and the closed configuration. In certain instances, the first data represent the force required to FTC the end effector 150300 over time, as illustrated in FIG. 46.

In various aspects, the surgical instrument 32235 comprises a displacement member (e.g., drive member 150120 of FIG. 39) movable, in the second surgical activity, to deploy/fire staples into the tissue grasped by the end effector 150300. In certain instances, the second data represent FTF the end effector 150300 over time, as illustrated in FIG. 46.

FIG. 46 is a graph illustrating FTC and FTF readings for the powered surgical instrument 32235 during a surgical procedure plotted against time (t). Corresponding transmission rates of the FTC and FTF readings to a surgical hub 106 are also plotted against time (t). In the example of FIGS. 46 and 47, the sensors 472, 474, 476 comprise an ideal sampling rate of 30 samples per second. A sampling rate is a rate at which a reading is taken.

The communication channel between the powered surgical instrument 32235 and the surgical hub 106 comprises a first bandwidth capable of transmissions up to 25 Megabits per second, which corresponds to a maximum of 62 samples transmitted per second. The first bandwidth is reduced to a second bandwidth at a time t=t₂, due to environmental interferences within the operating room. The second bandwidth is capable of transmissions up to 20 Megabits per second, which corresponds to a maximum of 48 samples per second. FIG. 47 also lists actual FTC and FTF samples transmitted per second at four example time points (t₁, t₂ t₃, t₄) selected for illustration purposes.

Referring again to FIGS. 46 and 47, the first surgical activity, represented by FTC data, begins at time t=0 while the second surgical activity, represented by FTF data, begins at time t=t₃. The first surgical activity also reaches a maximum FTC, which defines an important characteristic of the first surgical activity, at t=t₁. Accordingly, up to the time t=t₃, it is desirable to prioritize transmission of FTC data associated with the first surgical activity over FTF data associated with the second surgical activity. As illustrated at t=t₁, which corresponds to the maximum FTC values, FTC data is transmitted at an optimal transmission rate corresponding to 30 samples per second while no FTF data is transmitted during this initial stage.

Further to the above, a negative transition in bandwidth or maximum available transmission rate occurs at t=t_(a), and is sensed by the communication module 32004. In response, the transmission rate of the FTC data is lowered to a transmission rate corresponding to 26 samples per second, as illustrated at t=t₂, in order to accommodate the negative transition caused by the environmental interferences. In various instances, the first data and the second data are transmitted through a communication channel established between the powered surgical instrument 32235 and the surgical hub 106, and the communication module 32004 adjusts the transmission rate of at least one of the first data and the second data in response to the change in bandwidth of the communication channel.

In the example of FIGS. 47 and 48, only the FTC data transmission rate is lowered, from 30 to 26 samples per seconds because the FTF data transmission rate is already at 0 samples per seconds. In other instances, an ongoing prioritization scheme, which is instituted based on a characteristic of at least one of the first surgical activity and the second surgical activity, may impact the effect of a negative transition in bandwidth on the transmission rates of the first data and/or the second data, as described in greater detail below.

At t=t₃, FTF data and FTC data become equally relevant. Due to the reduction in bandwidth or maximum available transmission rates, however, only 48 samples can be transmitted per second. Accordingly, the transmission rates of the FTC data and the FTF data are adjusted to be the same at 24 samples per second. In other words, the transmission rates of the FTC data and the FTF data are adjusted to accommodate the increased relevance of the FTF data and the negative transition in bandwidth or maximum available transmission rates.

Further to the above, as the FTF data ramps upward and the FTC data tails off, the FTF data can be prioritized over the FTC data. Accordingly, the transmission rate of the FTF data can be increased, and the transmission rate of the FTC data decreased for the remainder of the second surgical activity. In other words, the communication module 32004 may adjust transmission rates for transmission of the first data and the second data between the powered surgical instrument and the surgical hub based on a characteristic of at least one of the first surgical activity and the second surgical activity.

At t=t₄, an irregular FTF is detected as the FTF has exceeded a predetermined threshold. To investigate the irregular FTF, the communication module 32004 responds by increasing the FTF data transmission rate to 40 samples per second, while decreasing the FTC transmission rate to 8 samples per second. In other words, the communication module 32004 responds to the sensed irregularity in FTF data by adjusting the transmission rates to prioritize transmission of FTF data over FTC data.

FIG. 50 illustrates a logic flow diagram of a process 32100 depicting a control program or a logic configuration for coordinating transmission of data between the powered surgical instrument 32235 and a surgical hub (e.g., surgical hub 106 (FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 49), surgical hub 206 (FIG. 10)), in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The process 32100 includes receiving 32106 first data regarding a first surgical activity of the surgical procedure, receiving 32108 second data regarding a second surgical activity of the surgical procedure, and transmitting 32112 the first data and the second data between the powered surgical instrument 32235 and the surgical hub 106.

Further to the above, if an irregularity is detected 32109, the process 32100 adjusts 32110 transmission rates for transmission the first data and the second data between the powered surgical instrument 32235 and the surgical hub 106 to prioritize transmission of the data encompassing the irregularity. As described above, an irregularity, in accordance with the process 32109 can be exceeding a predetermined threshold.

In various aspects, the communication module 32004 sets a preferred or prioritized communication processing arrangement to insure the flow of low-speed data and high-speed connections while still enabling prioritization of slow bandwidth data if its need is a higher priority.

Situational Awareness

Situational awareness is the ability of some aspects of a surgical system to determine or infer information related to a surgical procedure from data received from databases and/or instruments. The information can include the type of procedure being undertaken, the type of tissue being operated on, or the body cavity that is the subject of the procedure. With the contextual information related to the surgical procedure, the surgical system can, for example, improve the manner in which it controls the modular devices (e.g. a robotic arm and/or robotic surgical tool) that are connected to it and provide contextualized information or suggestions to the surgeon during the course of the surgical procedure.

Referring now to FIG. 51, a timeline 5200 depicting situational awareness of a hub, such as the surgical hub 106 or 206, for example, is depicted. The timeline 5200 is an illustrative surgical procedure and the contextual information that the surgical hub 106, 206 can derive from the data received from the data sources at each step in the surgical procedure. The timeline 5200 depicts the typical steps that would be taken by the nurses, surgeons, and other medical personnel during the course of a lung segmentectomy procedure, beginning with setting up the operating theater and ending with transferring the patient to a post-operative recovery room.

The situationally aware surgical hub 106, 206 receives data from the data sources throughout the course of the surgical procedure, including data generated each time medical personnel utilize a modular device that is paired with the surgical hub 106, 206. The surgical hub 106, 206 can receive this data from the paired modular devices and other data sources and continually derive inferences (i.e., contextual information) about the ongoing procedure as new data is received, such as which step of the procedure is being performed at any given time. The situational awareness system of the surgical hub 106, 206 is able to, for example, record data pertaining to the procedure for generating reports, verify the steps being taken by the medical personnel, provide data or prompts (e.g., via a display screen) that may be pertinent for the particular procedural step, adjust modular devices based on the context (e.g., activate monitors, adjust the field of view (FOV) of the medical imaging device, or change the energy level of an ultrasonic surgical instrument or RF electrosurgical instrument), and take any other such action described above.

As the first step 5202 in this illustrative procedure, the hospital staff members retrieve the patient's EMR from the hospital's EMR database. Based on select patient data in the EMR, the surgical hub 106, 206 determines that the procedure to be performed is a thoracic procedure.

Second step 5204, the staff members scan the incoming medical supplies for the procedure. The surgical hub 106, 206 cross-references the scanned supplies with a list of supplies that are utilized in various types of procedures and confirms that the mix of supplies corresponds to a thoracic procedure. Further, the surgical hub 106, 206 is also able to determine that the procedure is not a wedge procedure (because the incoming supplies either lack certain supplies that are necessary for a thoracic wedge procedure or do not otherwise correspond to a thoracic wedge procedure).

Third step 5206, the medical personnel scan the patient band via a scanner that is communicably connected to the surgical hub 106, 206. The surgical hub 106, 206 can then confirm the patient's identity based on the scanned data.

Fourth step 5208, the medical staff turns on the auxiliary equipment. The auxiliary equipment being utilized can vary according to the type of surgical procedure and the techniques to be used by the surgeon, but in this illustrative case they include a smoke evacuator, insufflator, and medical imaging device. When activated, the auxiliary equipment that are modular devices can automatically pair with the surgical hub 106, 206 that is located within a particular vicinity of the modular devices as part of their initialization process. The surgical hub 106, 206 can then derive contextual information about the surgical procedure by detecting the types of modular devices that pair with it during this pre-operative or initialization phase. In this particular example, the surgical hub 106, 206 determines that the surgical procedure is a VATS procedure based on this particular combination of paired modular devices. Based on the combination of the data from the patient's EMR, the list of medical supplies to be used in the procedure, and the type of modular devices that connect to the hub, the surgical hub 106, 206 can generally infer the specific procedure that the surgical team will be performing. Once the surgical hub 106, 206 knows what specific procedure is being performed, the surgical hub 106, 206 can then retrieve the steps of that procedure from a memory or from the cloud and then cross-reference the data it subsequently receives from the connected data sources (e.g., modular devices and patient monitoring devices) to infer what step of the surgical procedure the surgical team is performing.

Fifth step 5210, the staff members attach the EKG electrodes and other patient monitoring devices to the patient. The EKG electrodes and other patient monitoring devices are able to pair with the surgical hub 106, 206. As the surgical hub 106, 206 begins receiving data from the patient monitoring devices, the surgical hub 106, 206 thus confirms that the patient is in the operating theater.

Sixth step 5212, the medical personnel induce anesthesia in the patient. The surgical hub 106, 206 can infer that the patient is under anesthesia based on data from the modular devices and/or patient monitoring devices, including EKG data, blood pressure data, ventilator data, or combinations thereof, for example. Upon completion of the sixth step 5212, the pre-operative portion of the lung segmentectomy procedure is completed and the operative portion begins.

Seventh step 5214, the patient's lung that is being operated on is collapsed (while ventilation is switched to the contralateral lung). The surgical hub 106, 206 can infer from the ventilator data that the patient's lung has been collapsed, for example. The surgical hub 106, 206 can infer that the operative portion of the procedure has commenced as it can compare the detection of the patient's lung collapsing to the expected steps of the procedure (which can be accessed or retrieved previously) and thereby determine that collapsing the lung is the first operative step in this particular procedure.

Eighth step 5216, the medical imaging device (e.g., a scope) is inserted and video from the medical imaging device is initiated. The surgical hub 106, 206 receives the medical imaging device data (i.e., video or image data) through its connection to the medical imaging device. Upon receipt of the medical imaging device data, the surgical hub 106, 206 can determine that the laparoscopic portion of the surgical procedure has commenced. Further, the surgical hub 106, 206 can determine that the particular procedure being performed is a segmentectomy, as opposed to a lobectomy (note that a wedge procedure has already been discounted by the surgical hub 106, 206 based on data received at the second step 5204 of the procedure). The data from the medical imaging device 124 (FIG. 2) can be utilized to determine contextual information regarding the type of procedure being performed in a number of different ways, including by determining the angle at which the medical imaging device is oriented with respect to the visualization of the patient's anatomy, monitoring the number or medical imaging devices being utilized (i.e., that are activated and paired with the surgical hub 106, 206), and monitoring the types of visualization devices utilized. For example, one technique for performing a VATS lobectomy places the camera in the lower anterior corner of the patient's chest cavity above the diaphragm, whereas one technique for performing a VATS segmentectomy places the camera in an anterior intercostal position relative to the segmental fissure. Using pattern recognition or machine learning techniques, for example, the situational awareness system can be trained to recognize the positioning of the medical imaging device according to the visualization of the patient's anatomy. As another example, one technique for performing a VATS lobectomy utilizes a single medical imaging device, whereas another technique for performing a VATS segmentectomy utilizes multiple cameras. As yet another example, one technique for performing a VATS segmentectomy utilizes an infrared light source (which can be communicably coupled to the surgical hub as part of the visualization system) to visualize the segmental fissure, which is not utilized in a VATS lobectomy. By tracking any or all of this data from the medical imaging device, the surgical hub 106, 206 can thereby determine the specific type of surgical procedure being performed and/or the technique being used for a particular type of surgical procedure.

Ninth step 5218, the surgical team begins the dissection step of the procedure. The surgical hub 106, 206 can infer that the surgeon is in the process of dissecting to mobilize the patient's lung because it receives data from the RF or ultrasonic generator indicating that an energy instrument is being fired. The surgical hub 106, 206 can cross-reference the received data with the retrieved steps of the surgical procedure to determine that an energy instrument being fired at this point in the process (i.e., after the completion of the previously discussed steps of the procedure) corresponds to the dissection step. In certain instances, the energy instrument can be an energy tool mounted to a robotic arm of a robotic surgical system.

Tenth step 5220, the surgical team proceeds to the ligation step of the procedure. The surgical hub 106, 206 can infer that the surgeon is ligating arteries and veins because it receives data from the surgical stapling and cutting instrument indicating that the instrument is being fired. Similarly to the prior step, the surgical hub 106, 206 can derive this inference by cross-referencing the receipt of data from the surgical stapling and cutting instrument with the retrieved steps in the process. In certain instances, the surgical instrument can be a surgical tool mounted to a robotic arm of a robotic surgical system.

Eleventh step 5222, the segmentectomy portion of the procedure is performed. The surgical hub 106, 206 can infer that the surgeon is transecting the parenchyma based on data from the surgical stapling and cutting instrument, including data from its cartridge. The cartridge data can correspond to the size or type of staple being fired by the instrument, for example. As different types of staples are utilized for different types of tissues, the cartridge data can thus indicate the type of tissue being stapled and/or transected. In this case, the type of staple being fired is utilized for parenchyma (or other similar tissue types), which allows the surgical hub 106, 206 to infer that the segmentectomy portion of the procedure is being performed.

Twelfth step 5224, the node dissection step is then performed. The surgical hub 106, 206 can infer that the surgical team is dissecting the node and performing a leak test based on data received from the generator indicating that an RF or ultrasonic instrument is being fired. For this particular procedure, an RF or ultrasonic instrument being utilized after parenchyma was transected corresponds to the node dissection step, which allows the surgical hub 106, 206 to make this inference. It should be noted that surgeons regularly switch back and forth between surgical stapling/cutting instruments and surgical energy (i.e., RF or ultrasonic) instruments depending upon the particular step in the procedure because different instruments are better adapted for particular tasks. Therefore, the particular sequence in which the stapling/cutting instruments and surgical energy instruments are used can indicate what step of the procedure the surgeon is performing. Moreover, in certain instances, robotic tools can be utilized for one or more steps in a surgical procedure and/or handheld surgical instruments can be utilized for one or more steps in the surgical procedure. The surgeon(s) can alternate between robotic tools and handheld surgical instruments and/or can use the devices concurrently, for example. Upon completion of the twelfth step 5224, the incisions are closed up and the post-operative portion of the procedure begins.

Thirteenth step 5226, the patient's anesthesia is reversed. The surgical hub 106, 206 can infer that the patient is emerging from the anesthesia based on the ventilator data (i.e., the patient's breathing rate begins increasing), for example.

Lastly, the fourteenth step 5228 is that the medical personnel remove the various patient monitoring devices from the patient. The surgical hub 106, 206 can thus infer that the patient is being transferred to a recovery room when the hub loses EKG, BP, and other data from the patient monitoring devices. As can be seen from the description of this illustrative procedure, the surgical hub 106, 206 can determine or infer when each step of a given surgical procedure is taking place according to data received from the various data sources that are communicably coupled to the surgical hub 106, 206.

Situational awareness is further described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/611,341, titled INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM, filed Dec. 28, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In certain instances, operation of a robotic surgical system, including the various robotic surgical systems disclosed herein, for example, can be controlled by the hub 106, 206 based on its situational awareness and/or feedback from the components thereof and/or based on information from the cloud 104.

EXAMPLES

Various aspects of the subject matter described herein are set out in the following numbered examples.

Example 1

A method implemented by a surgical instrument comprising first and second jaws and a flexible circuit comprising multiple sensors to optimize performance of a radio frequency (RF) device, the flexible circuit comprising at least one therapeutic electrode couplable to a source of RF energy, at least two sensing electrodes, and at least one insulative layer, the insulative layer is positioned between the at least one therapeutic electrode and the at least two sensing electrodes, the method comprising: contacting tissue positioned between the first and second jaws of the surgical instrument with the at least one therapeutic electrode and at the least two sensing electrodes; sensing signals from the at the least two sensing electrodes; and controlling RF energy delivered to the at least one therapeutic electrode based on the sensed signals.

Example 2

The method of Example 1, further comprising sensing, by the at least two sensing electrodes, impedance of the tissue positioned between the first and second jaws of the surgical instrument; electrical continuity of the tissue; or a temperature transition point in the tissue; or a combination thereof.

Example 3

The method of any one of Examples 1-2, further comprising, sensing, by the at least two sensing electrodes, a parameter associated with tissue positioned between first and second jaws of the surgical instrument.

Example 4

The method of Example 4, further comprising, adaptively controlling the RF energy delivered to the at least one therapeutic electrode based on the parameter sensed by the at least two sensing electrodes.

Example 5

A method implemented by a surgical instrument comprising an end effector, a marking assembly, and a control circuit, the end effector comprising a first jaw, a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw to grasp tissue therebetween, a plurality of sensors, and a tissue-treatment mechanism configured to apply a tissue treatment to tissue grasped between the first jaw and the second jaw, the method comprising: receiving, by the control circuit, a plurality of sensor signals from the plurality of sensors indicative of application of a tissue treatment to the tissue; controlling, by the control circuit, radiofrequency (RF) energy to the end effector to treat the tissue; applying, by the marking assembly, a distinct marking to the tissue unique to the tissue treatment application, wherein the distinct marking distinguishes the tissue treatment application from other tissue treatment applications.

Example 6

The method of Example 5, wherein the end effector includes a cutting member configured to transect tissue, the method further comprising creating the distinct marking, by the marking assembly, adjacent a transection line defined in the tissue by the cutting member.

Example 7

The method of any one of Examples 5-6, further comprising, sensing, by the plurality of sensors, a parameter associated with tissue positioned between first and second jaws of the surgical instrument.

Example 8

The method of Example 7, further comprising, adaptively controlling the RF energy delivered to the at least one therapeutic electrode based on the parameter sensed by the plurality of sensors.

Example 9

A method implemented by a surgical instrument comprising a control circuit, a multi-level flexible electrode, the multi-level flexible electrode comprises first, second, and third insulative layers, the multi-level flexible electrode further comprises at least one therapeutic electrode and at least two sensing electrodes, the therapeutic electrode is positioned between the first and second insulative layers, wherein the therapeutic electrode is couplable to a source of radiofrequency (RF) energy, the sensing electrode is positioned between the second and third insulative layers, the method comprising: contacting tissue by the at least one therapeutic electrode and the at least two sensing electrodes; delivering RF energy to the contacted tissue by the at least one therapeutic electrode; sensing, by the at least two sensing electrodes, a parameter associated with tissue positioned between first and second jaws of the surgical instrument; and controlling, by the control circuit, RF energy delivered to the at least one therapeutic electrode based on the sensed parameter.

Example 10

The method of Example 9, further comprising sensing, by the at least two sensing electrodes, impedance of the tissue positioned between the first and second jaws of the surgical instrument; electrical continuity of the tissue; or a temperature transition point in the tissue; or a combination thereof.

Example 11

The method of any one of Examples 9-10, further comprising: applying a tissue treatment, by the at least one therapeutic electrode, to tissue grasped between the first jaw and the second jaw; receiving, by control circuit, sensor signals indicative of application of the tissue treatment to the tissue; and applying, by a marking assembly, a distinct marking to the tissue unique to the tissue treatment application; wherein the distinct marking distinguishes the tissue treatment application from other tissue treatment applications.

Various additional aspects of the subject matter described herein are set out in the following numbered examples.

Example 1

A flexible electrode of a surgical instrument is disclosed. The flexible electrode comprises a therapeutic electrode couplable to a source of radiofrequency energy, a sensing electrode, and an insulative layer. The insulative layer is positioned between the therapeutic electrode and the sensing electrode. The therapeutic electrode and the sensing electrode are configured to contact tissue positioned between first and second jaws of the surgical instrument.

Example 2

The flexible electrode of Example 1, wherein the therapeutic electrode comprises a rectangular shape.

Example 3

The flexible electrode of any one of Examples 1 and 2, wherein the sensing electrode overlays the therapeutic electrode.

Example 4

The flexible electrode of any one of Examples 1-3, wherein the sensing electrode comprises a patterned shape comprising a rectangular portion and multiple fingers extending from the rectangular portion.

Example 5

The flexible electrode of any one of Examples 1-4, wherein the sensing electrode is configured to help determine at least one of the following: an impedance of the tissue positioned between the first and second jaws of the surgical instrument; an electrical continuity of the tissue; and a temperature transition point in the tissue.

Example 6

The flexible electrode of any one of Examples 1, 2, 4, and 5, wherein the insulative layer overlays the therapeutic sensing electrode.

Example 7

The flexible electrode of any one of Examples 1-6, wherein the insulative layer comprises a rectangular portion and multiple fingers extending from the rectangular portion.

Example 8

The flexible electrode of any one of Examples 1-7, wherein the insulative layer is congruent with the sensing electrode.

Example 9

The flexible electrode of any one of Examples 1-8, wherein a flexibility of the insulative layer is greater than a flexibility of the therapeutic electrode and a flexibility of the sensing electrode.

Example 10

The flexible electrode of any one of Examples 1-9, further comprising a second insulative layer, wherein the therapeutic layer is positioned between the insulative layer and the second instulative layer.

Example 11

The flexible electrode of Example 10, further comprising a third insulative layer, wherein the sensing electrode is positioned between the insulative layer and the third insulative layer.

Example 12

A flexible electrode assembly of a surgical instrument is disclosed. The flexible electrode assembly comprises first and second therapeutic electrodes couplable to a source of radiofrequency energy and first and second sensing electrodes configured to help determine a parameter associated with tissue positioned between first and second jaws of the surgical instrument. The flexible electrode assembly further comprises a first insulative layer positioned between the first therapeutic electrode and the first sensing electrode and a second insulative layer positioned between the second therapeutic electrode and the second sensing electrode, wherein the first and second therapeutic electrodes and the first and second sensing electrodes are configured to contact the tissue.

Example 13

The flexible electrode assembly of Example 12, wherein the first therapeutic electrode, the first sensing electrode and the first insulative layer are positioned on a first side of a knife slot of the surgical instrument, and the second therapeutic electrode, the second sensing electrode and the first insulative layer are positioned on an opposite side of the knife slot.

Example 14

The flexible electrode assembly of any one of Examples 12 and 13, wherein the first and second sensing electrodes are configured to help determine at least one of the following: an impedance of the tissue positioned between the first and second jaws of the surgical instrument; an electrical continuity of the tissue; and a temperature transition point in the tissue.

Example 15

The flexible electrode assembly of any one of Examples 12-14, wherein each of the first and second sensing electrodes comprise a patterned shape comprising a rectangular portion and multiple fingers extending from the rectangular portion.

Example 16

The flexible electrode assembly of any one of Examples 12-15, wherein each of the first and second insulative layers comprise a patterned shape comprising a rectangular portion and multiple fingers extending from the rectangular portion.

Example 17

The flexible electrode assembly of any one of Examples 12-16, wherein a flexibility of the first and second insulative layers is greater than a flexibility of the first and second therapeutic electrodes and a flexibility of the first and second sensing electrodes.

Example 18

The flexible electrode assembly of any one of Examples 12-17, wherein the first and second sensing electrodes form a conductive gap spacer configured to control a minimum gap between the first and second jaws.

Example 19

A multi-level flexible electrode of a surgical instrument is disclosed. The multi-level flexible electrode comprises first, second, and third insulative layers. The multi-level flexible electrode further comprises a therapeutic electrode and a sensing electrode. The therapeutic electrode is positioned between the first and second insulative layers, wherein the therapeutic electrode is couplable to a source of radiofrequency energy. The sensing electrode is positioned between the second and third insulative layers, wherein the sensing electrode is configured to help determine a parameter associated with tissue positioned between first and second jaws of the surgical instrument, and wherein the therapeutic electrode and the sensing electrode are configured to contact the tissue.

Example 20

The multi-level electrode of Example 19, wherein the sensing electrode is configured to help determine at least one of the following: an impedance of the tissue positioned between the first and second jaws of the surgical instrument; an electrical continuity of the tissue; and a temperature transition point in the tissue.

Various additional aspects of the subject matter described herein are set out in the following numbered examples.

Example 1

A flexible circuit of a surgical instrument is disclosed. The flexible circuit comprises a rigid section and a flexible section. The rigid section comprises interlocking features for mechanical engagement with a component of the surgical instrument. The rigid section has at least one of the following mounted thereon: a processing device; and a logic element. The flexible section is aligned with one of the following: an active bending portion of a shaft assembly of the surgical instrument; and an articulation joint of the shaft assembly.

Example 2

The flexible circuit of Example 1, wherein the flexible section is configured to bend transverse to a longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly.

Example 3

The flexible circuit of any one of Example 1 and 2, wherein the component comprises a channel retainer, and wherein the channel retainer comprises a recess configured to receive the rigid section.

Example 4

The flexible circuit of any one of Examples 1-3, further comprising a conductive trace.

Example 5

The flexible circuit of Example 4, wherein a height of the conductive trace varies along a length of the conductive trace.

Example 6

The flexible circuit of any one of Examples 4 and 5, wherein a width of the conductive trace varies along a length of the conductive trace.

Example 7

The flexible circuit of any one of Examples 4-6, wherein the conductive trace varies in height along a length of the conductive trace and varies in width along the length of the conductive trace.

Example 8

The flexible circuit of any one of Examples 4-7, wherein a height of a first portion of the conductive trace positioned on the flexible section is less than a height of second portion of the conductive trace positioned on the rigid section.

Example 9

The flexible circuit of any one of Examples 4-8, wherein a width of a first portion of the conductive trace positioned on the flexible section is less than a width of second portion of the conductive trace positioned on the rigid section.

Example 10

The flexible circuit of any one of Examples 4-9, wherein a height of a first portion of the conductive trace positioned on the flexible section is less than a height of a second portion of the conductive trace positioned on the rigid section, and a width of the first portion of the conductive trace is greater than a width of the second portion of the conductive trace.

Example 11

The flexible circuit of any one of Examples 1-10, wherein the flexible circuit comprises a strain relief section.

Example 12

The flexible circuit of any one of Examples 1-11, further comprising a conductive pad.

Example 13

The flexible circuit of any one of Examples 1-12, further comprising an electromagnetic shield.

Example 14

A flexible circuit of a surgical instrument is disclosed. The flexible circuit comprises a rigid section, a flexible section, and a conductive trace positioned on both the rigid section and the flexible section. The rigid section has at least one of the following mounted thereon: a processing device; and a logic element. The flexible section is aligned with one of the following: an active bending portion of a shaft assembly of the surgical instrument and an articulation joint of the shaft assembly. A height and a width of the conductive trace varies along a length of the surgical instrument.

Example 15

The flexible circuit of Example 14, wherein the rigid section is configured to mechanically interlock with a component of the surgical instrument.

Example 16

The flexible circuit of Example 15, wherein the component comprises a channel retainer, and wherein the channel retainer comprises a recess configured to receive the rigid section.

Example 17

The flexible circuit of any one of Examples 14-16, wherein the flexible section is configured to bend transverse to a longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly.

Example 18

The flexible circuit of any one of Examples 14-17, wherein a height of a first portion of the conductive trace positioned on the flexible section is less than a height of a second portion of the conductive trace positioned on the rigid section, and a width of the first portion of the conductive trace is greater than a width of the second portion of the conductive trace.

Example 19

A flexible circuit of a surgical instrument is disclosed. The flexible circuit comprises a rigid section, a flexible section, a conductive trace, and an electromagnetic shield. The flexible section is aligned with one of the following: an active bending portion of a shaft assembly of the surgical instrument; and an articulation joint of the shaft assembly. The conductive trace is positioned on both the rigid section and the flexible section, wherein a height and a width of the conductive trace varies along a length of the surgical instrument.

Example 20

The flexible circuit of Example 19, wherein a height of a first portion of the conductive trace positioned on the flexible section is less than a height of a second portion of the conductive trace positioned on the rigid section, and a width of the first portion of the conductive trace is greater than a width of the second portion of the conductive trace.

Various additional aspects of the subject matter described herein are set out in the following numbered examples.

Example 1

A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises an end effector and a marking assembly. The end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw to grasp tissue therebetween, and a tissue-treatment mechanism configured to apply a tissue treatment to tissue grasped between the first jaw and the second jaw. The marking assembly is configured to apply a distinct marking to the tissue unique to each tissue treatment application. The distinct marking distinguishes the tissue treatment application from other tissue treatment applications.

Example 2

The surgical instrument of Example 1, wherein the end effector includes a cutting member configured to transect tissue, and wherein the marking assembly is configured to create the distinct marking adjacent a transection line defined in the tissue by the cutting member.

Example 3

The surgical instrument of any one of Examples 1 and 2, wherein the distinct marking is visible only in the presence of a light source outside of the visible spectrum.

Example 4

The surgical instrument of any one of Examples 1-3, wherein the distinct marking is configured to fluoresce under an applied light source outside of the visible spectrum.

Example 5

The surgical instrument of any one of Examples 1-4, wherein the distinct marking is detectable through stimulation by at least one of a light source, a radiation source, and an illumination source.

Example 6

The surgical instrument of any one of Examples 1-5, wherein the tissue treatment mechanism comprises a staple cartridge configured to deploy staples into the tissue in the tissue treatment application.

Example 7

The surgical instrument of any one of Examples 1-6, wherein the tissue treatment mechanism comprises an electrode configured to deliver therapeutic energy to the tissue in the tissue treatment application.

Example 8

The surgical instrument of any one of Examples 1-7, wherein the tissue treatment mechanism comprises a transection member movable to transect the tissue in the tissue treatment application.

Example 9

The surgical instrument of any one of Examples 1-8, wherein application of the tissue treatment by the tissue-treatment mechanisms triggers application of the distinct marking to the tissue by the marking assembly.

Example 10

The surgical instrument of any one of Examples 1-9, wherein the marking assembly comprises a plurality of spaced apart applicators.

Example 11

The surgical instrument of Example 10, wherein the plurality of applicators comprises a proximal applicator and a distal applicator.

Example 12

The surgical instrument of any one of Examples 10 and 11, wherein the end effector comprises a longitudinal slot, and wherein the first applicator on a first side of the longitudinal slot and a second applicator on a second side of the longitudinal slot opposite the first side.

Example 13

A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises an end effector, a marking assembly, and a control circuit. The end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw to grasp tissue therebetween, and a tissue-treatment mechanism configured to apply a tissue treatment to tissue grasped between the first jaw and the second jaw. The control circuit is configured to receive sensor signals indicative of application of a tissue treatment to the tissue and cause the marking assembly to apply a distinct marking to the tissue unique to the tissue treatment application, wherein the distinct marking distinguishes the tissue treatment application from other tissue treatment applications.

Example 14

The surgical instrument of Example 13, wherein the end effector includes a cutting member configured to transect tissue, and wherein the marking assembly is configured to create the distinct marking adjacent a transection line defined in the tissue by the cutting member.

Example 15

The surgical instrument of any one of Examples 13 and 14, wherein the distinct marking is visible only in the presence of a light source outside of the visible spectrum.

Example 16

The surgical instrument of any one of Examples 13-15, wherein the distinct marking is configured to fluoresce under an applied light source outside of the visible spectrum.

Example 17

The surgical instrument of any one of Examples 13-16, wherein the distinct marking is detectable through stimulation by at least one of a light source, a radiation source, and an illumination source.

Example 18

The surgical instrument of any one of Examples 13-17, wherein application of the tissue treatment by the tissue-treatment mechanisms triggers application of the distinct marking to the tissue by the marking assembly.

Example 19

The surgical instrument of any one of Examples 13-18, wherein the marking assembly comprises a plurality of spaced apart applicators.

Example 20

A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises an end effector comprising a first jaw, a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw to grasp tissue therebetween, and a tissue-treatment mechanism configured to apply a tissue treatment to tissue grasped between the first jaw and the second jaw. The surgical instrument further comprises a means for applying a distinct marking to the tissue unique to each tissue treatment application, wherein the distinct marking distinguishes the tissue treatment application from other tissue treatment applications.

Various additional aspects of the subject matter described herein are set out in the following numbered examples.

Example 1

A surgical system for use in a surgical procedure is disclosed. The surgical system comprises a surgical hub, a powered surgical instrument, and a communication module. The communication module is configured to receive first data regarding a first surgical activity of the surgical procedure, receive second data regarding a second surgical activity of the surgical procedure, select transmission rates for transmission of the first data and the second data between the powered surgical instrument and the surgical hub based on at least one characteristic of at least one of the first surgical activity and the second surgical activity, and transmit the first data and the second data between the powered surgical instrument and the surgical hub at the selected transmission rates.

Example 2

The surgical system of Example 1, wherein the surgical instrument comprises an end effector transitionable between an open configuration and a closed configuration to grasp tissue.

Example 3

The surgical system of Example 2, wherein the first data represent force to transition the end effector to the closed configuration over time.

Example 4

The surgical system of any one of Examples 2 and 3, wherein the surgical instrument comprises a translatable member to deploy staples into the tissue grasped by the end effector.

Example 5

The surgical system of Example 4, wherein the second data represent force to move the translatable member over time.

Example 6

The surgical system of any one of Examples 1-5, wherein the first data and the second data are transmitted through a communication channel established between the powered surgical instrument and the surgical hub.

Example 7

The surgical system of Example 6, wherein the communication module is further configured to adjust the transmission rate of at least one of the first data and the second data in response to a change in bandwidth of the communication channel.

Example 8

A surgical system for use in a surgical procedure is disclosed. The surgical system comprises a surgical hub, a powered surgical instrument, and a communication module. The communication module is configured to receive first data regarding a first surgical activity of the surgical procedure, receive second data regarding a second surgical activity of the surgical procedure, and adjust transmission rates for transmission of the first data and the second data between the powered surgical instrument and the surgical hub based on at least one characteristic of at least one of the first surgical activity and the second surgical activity.

Example 9

The surgical system of Example 8, wherein the surgical instrument comprises an end effector transitionable between an open configuration and a closed configuration to grasp tissue.

Example 10

The surgical system of Example 9, wherein the first data represent force to transition the end effector to the closed configuration over time.

Example 11

The surgical system of any one of Examples 9 and 10, wherein the surgical instrument comprises a translatable member movable to deploy staples into the tissue grasped by the end effector.

Example 12

The surgical system of Example 11, wherein the second data represent force to move the translatable member over time.

Example 13

The surgical system of Example 12, wherein the first data and the second data are transmitted through a communication channel established between the powered surgical instrument and the surgical hub.

Example 14

The surgical system of Example 13, wherein the communication module is further configured to adjust the transmission rate of at least one of the first data and the second data in response to a change in bandwidth of the communication channel.

Example 15

A surgical system for use in a surgical procedure is disclosed. The surgical system comprises a surgical hub, a powered surgical instrument, and a communication module. The communication module is configured to receive first data regarding a first surgical activity of the surgical procedure, receive second data regarding a second surgical activity of the surgical procedure, transmit first data and second data between the powered surgical instrument and the surgical hub, detect an irregularity in the second data, and adjust transmission rates of the first data and the second data to prioritize transmission of the irregularity in the second data.

Example 16

The surgical system of Example 15, wherein the surgical instrument comprises an end effector transitionable between an open configuration and a closed configuration to grasp tissue.

Example 17

The surgical system of Example 16, wherein the first data represent force to transition the end effector to the closed configuration over time.

Example 18

The surgical system of any one of Examples 16 and 17, wherein the surgical instrument comprises a translatable member movable to deploy staples into the tissue grasped by the end effector.

Example 19

The surgical system of Example 18, wherein the second data represent force to move the translatable member over time.

Example 20

The surgical system of any one of Examples 12-19, wherein the irregularity in the second data comprises exceeding a predetermined threshold.

While several forms have been illustrated and described, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Numerous modifications, variations, changes, substitutions, combinations, and equivalents to those forms may be implemented and will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the structure of each element associated with the described forms can be alternatively described as a means for providing the function performed by the element. Also, where materials are disclosed for certain components, other materials may be used. It is therefore to be understood that the foregoing description and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, combinations, and variations as falling within the scope of the disclosed forms. The appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, variations, changes, substitutions, modifications, and equivalents.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various forms of the devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understood by those within the art that each function and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples can be implemented, individually, and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. Those skilled in the art will recognize that some aspects of the forms disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for the software and or firmware would be well within the skill of one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capable of being distributed as one or more program products in a variety of forms, and that an illustrative form of the subject matter described herein applies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium used to actually carry out the distribution.

Instructions used to program logic to perform various disclosed aspects can be stored within a memory in the system, such as DRAM, cache, flash memory, or other storage. Furthermore, the instructions can be distributed via a network or by way of other computer readable media. Thus a machine-readable medium may include any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer), but is not limited to, floppy diskettes, optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magneto-optical disks, ROMs, RAM, EPROM, EEPROM, magnetic or optical cards, flash memory, or a tangible, machine-readable storage used in the transmission of information over the Internet via electrical, optical, acoustical, or other forms of propagated signals (e.g., carrier waves, IR signals, digital signals, etc.). Accordingly, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes any type of tangible machine-readable medium suitable for storing or transmitting electronic instructions or information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer).

As used throughout this description, the term “wireless” and its derivatives may be used to describe circuits, devices, systems, methods, techniques, communications channels, etc., that may communicate data through the use of modulated electromagnetic radiation through a non-solid medium. The term does not imply that the associated devices do not contain any wires, although in some aspects they might not. The communication module may implement any of a number of wireless or wired communication standards or protocols, including but not limited to Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 family), WiMAX (IEEE 802.16 family), IEEE 802.20, LIE, Ev-DO, HSPA+, HSDPA+, HSUPA+, EDGE, GSM, GPRS, CDMA, TDMA, DECT, Bluetooth, Ethernet derivatives thereof, as well as any other wireless and wired protocols that are designated as 3G, 4G, 5G, and beyond. The computing module may include a plurality of communication modules. For instance, a first communication module may be dedicated to shorter-range wireless communications such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and a second communication module may be dedicated to longer range wireless communications such as GPS, EDGE, GPRS, CDMA, WiMAX, LIE, Ev-DO, and others.

As used in any aspect herein, the term “control circuit” may refer to, for example, hardwired circuitry, programmable circuitry (e.g., a computer processor comprising one or more individual instruction processing cores, processing unit, processor, microcontroller, microcontroller unit, controller, DSP, PLD, programmable logic array (PLA), or FPGA), state machine circuitry, firmware that stores instructions executed by programmable circuitry, and any combination thereof. The control circuit may, collectively or individually, be embodied as circuitry that forms part of a larger system, for example, an integrated circuit (IC), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system on-chip (SoC), desktop computers, laptop computers, tablet computers, servers, smart phones, etc. Accordingly, as used herein “control circuit” includes, but is not limited to, electrical circuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one application specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming a general purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., forms of random access memory), and/or electrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem, communications switch, or optical-electrical equipment). Those having skill in the art will recognize that the subject matter described herein may be implemented in an analog or digital fashion or some combination thereof.

As used herein a processor or processing unit is an electronic circuit which performs operations on some external data source, usually memory or some other data stream. The term is used herein to refer to the central processor (central processing unit) in a system or computer systems (especially SoCs) that combine a number of specialized “processors.”

As used herein, an SoC or system on chip (SOC) is an IC that integrates all components of a computer or other electronic systems. It may contain digital, analog, mixed-signal, and often radio-frequency functions—all on a single substrate. A SoC integrates a microcontroller (or microprocessor) with advanced peripherals like graphics processing unit (GPU), Wi-Fi module, or coprocessor. A SoC may or may not contain built-in memory.

As used herein, a microcontroller or controller is a system that integrates a microprocessor with peripheral circuits and memory. A microcontroller (or MCU for microcontroller unit) may be implemented as a small computer on a single integrated circuit. It may be similar to a SoC; an SoC may include a microcontroller as one of its components. A microcontroller may contain one or more core processing units (CPUs) along with memory and programmable input/output peripherals. Program memory in the form of Ferroelectric RAM, NOR flash or OTP ROM is also often included on chip, as well as a small amount of RAM. Microcontrollers may be employed for embedded applications, in contrast to the microprocessors used in personal computers or other general purpose applications consisting of various discrete chips.

As used herein, the term controller or microcontroller may be a stand-alone IC or chip device that interfaces with a peripheral device. This may be a link between two parts of a computer or a controller on an external device that manages the operation of (and connection with) that device.

Any of the processors or microcontrollers described herein, may be implemented by any single core or multicore processor such as those known under the trade name ARM Cortex by Texas Instruments. In one aspect, the processor may be an LM4F230H5QR ARM Cortex-M4F Processor Core, available from Texas Instruments, for example, comprising on-chip memory of 256 KB single-cycle flash memory, or other NVM, up to 40 MHz, a prefetch buffer to improve performance above 40 MHz, a 32 KB single-cycle SRAM, internal ROM loaded with StellarisWare® software, 2 KB electrically EEPROM, one or more PWM modules, one or more QEI analog, or one or more 12-bit ADCs with 12 analog input channels, details of which are available for the product datasheet.

In one aspect, the processor may comprise a safety controller comprising two controller-based families such as TMS570 and RM4x known under the trade name Hercules ARM Cortex R4, also by Texas Instruments. The safety controller may be configured specifically for IEC 61508 and ISO 26262 safety critical applications, among others, to provide advanced integrated safety features while delivering scalable performance, connectivity, and memory options.

As used in any aspect herein, the term “logic” may refer to an app, software, firmware, and/or circuitry configured to perform any of the aforementioned operations. Software may be embodied as a software package, code, instructions, instruction sets, and/or data recorded on non-transitory computer readable storage medium. Firmware may be embodied as code, instructions, or instruction sets and/or data that are hard-coded (e.g., non-volatile) in memory devices.

As used in any aspect herein, the terms “component,” “system,” “module,” and the like can refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution.

As used in any aspect herein, an “algorithm” refers to a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result, where a “step” refers to a manipulation of physical quantities, and/or logic states, which may, though need not necessarily, take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It is common usage to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. These and similar terms may be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities and/or states.

A network may include a packet switched network. The communication devices may be capable of communicating with each other using a selected packet switched network communications protocol. One example communications protocol may include an Ethernet communications protocol that may be capable permitting communication using a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). The Ethernet protocol may comply or be compatible with the Ethernet standard published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) titled “IEEE 802.3 Standard,” published in December 2008 and/or later versions of this standard. Alternatively or additionally, the communication devices may be capable of communicating with each other using an X.25 communications protocol. The X.25 communications protocol may comply or be compatible with a standard promulgated by the International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T). Alternatively or additionally, the communication devices may be capable of communicating with each other using a frame relay communications protocol. The frame relay communications protocol may comply or be compatible with a standard promulgated by Consultative Committee for International Telegraph and Telephone (CCITT) and/or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Alternatively or additionally, the transceivers may be capable of communicating with each other using an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) communications protocol. The ATM communications protocol may comply or be compatible with an ATM standard published by the ATM Forum titled “ATM-MPLS Network Interworking 2.0” published August 2001, and/or later versions of this standard. Of course, different and/or after-developed connection-oriented network communication protocols are equally contemplated herein.

Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the foregoing disclosure, it is appreciated that, throughout the foregoing disclosure, discussions using terms such as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” “displaying,” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.

One or more components may be referred to herein as “configured to,” “configurable to,” “operable/operative to,” “adapted/adaptable,” “able to,” “conformable/conformed to,” etc. Those skilled in the art will recognize that “configured to” can generally encompass active-state components and/or inactive-state components and/or standby-state components, unless context requires otherwise.

The terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein with reference to a clinician manipulating the handle portion of the surgical instrument. The term “proximal” refers to the portion closest to the clinician, and the term “distal” refers to the portion located away from the clinician. It will be further appreciated that, for convenience and clarity, spatial terms such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “up,” “down,” “left,” and “right” may be used herein with respect to the drawings. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting and/or absolute.

Modular devices include the modules (as described in connection with FIGS. 3 and 9, for example) that are receivable within a surgical hub and the surgical devices or instruments that can be connected to the various modules in order to connect or pair with the corresponding surgical hub. The modular devices include, for example, intelligent surgical instruments, medical imaging devices, suction/irrigation devices, smoke evacuators, energy generators, ventilators, insufflators, and displays. The modular devices described herein can be controlled by control algorithms. The control algorithms can be executed on the modular device itself, on the surgical hub to which the particular modular device is paired, or on both the modular device and the surgical hub (e.g., via a distributed computing architecture). In some exemplifications, the modular devices' control algorithms control the devices based on data sensed by the modular device itself (i.e., by sensors in, on, or connected to the modular device). This data can be related to the patient being operated on (e.g., tissue properties or insufflation pressure) or the modular device itself (e.g., the rate at which a knife is being advanced, motor current, or energy levels). For example, a control algorithm for a surgical stapling and cutting instrument can control the rate at which the instrument's motor drives its knife through tissue according to resistance encountered by the knife as it advances.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to claims containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations.

In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that typically a disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms unless context dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be typically understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art will appreciate that recited operations therein may generally be performed in any order. Also, although various operational flow diagrams are presented in a sequence(s), it should be understood that the various operations may be performed in other orders than those which are illustrated, or may be performed concurrently. Examples of such alternate orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variant orderings, unless context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, terms like “responsive to,” “related to,” or other past-tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variants, unless context dictates otherwise.

It is worthy to note that any reference to “one aspect,” “an aspect,” “an exemplification,” “one exemplification,” and the like means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the aspect is included in at least one aspect. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one aspect,” “in an aspect,” “in an exemplification,” and “in one exemplification” in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same aspect. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more aspects.

Any patent application, patent, non-patent publication, or other disclosure material referred to in this specification and/or listed in any Application Data Sheet is incorporated by reference herein, to the extent that the incorporated materials is not inconsistent herewith. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

In summary, numerous benefits have been described which result from employing the concepts described herein. The foregoing description of the one or more forms has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the precise form disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The one or more forms were chosen and described in order to illustrate principles and practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the various forms and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the claims submitted herewith define the overall scope. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method implemented by a surgical instrument comprising first and second jaws and a flexible circuit comprising multiple sensors to optimize performance of a radio frequency (RF) device, the flexible circuit comprising at least one therapeutic electrode couplable to a source of RF energy, at least two sensing electrodes, and at least one insulative layer, the at least one insulative layer positioned between the at least one therapeutic electrode and the at least two sensing electrodes, the method comprising: contacting tissue positioned between the first and second jaws of the surgical instrument with the at least one therapeutic electrode and the at least two sensing electrodes; sensing signals from the at least two sensing electrodes; controlling RF energy delivered to the at least one therapeutic electrode based on the sensed signals; and applying a distinct marking to the tissue unique to a tissue treatment application applied to the tissue between the first and second jaws.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising sensing, by the at least two sensing electrodes, impedance of the tissue positioned between the first and second jaws of the surgical instrument; electrical continuity of the tissue; or a temperature transition point in the tissue; or a combination thereof.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising, sensing, by the at least two sensing electrodes, a parameter associated with tissue positioned between first and second jaws of the surgical instrument.
 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising, adaptively controlling the RF energy delivered to the at least one therapeutic electrode based on the parameter sensed by the at least two sensing electrodes.
 5. A method implemented by a surgical instrument comprising an end effector, a marking assembly, and a control circuit, the end effector comprising a first jaw, a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw to grasp tissue therebetween, a plurality of sensors, and a tissue-treatment mechanism configured to apply a tissue treatment to tissue grasped between the first jaw and the second jaw, the method comprising: receiving, by the control circuit, a plurality of sensor signals from the plurality of sensors indicative of application of a tissue treatment to the tissue; controlling, by the control circuit, radiofrequency (RF) energy to the end effector to treat the tissue; and applying, by the marking assembly, a distinct marking to the tissue unique to the tissue treatment application, wherein the distinct marking distinguishes the tissue treatment application from other tissue treatment applications.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the end effector includes a cutting member configured to transect tissue, the method further comprising creating the distinct marking, by the marking assembly, adjacent a transection line defined in the tissue by the cutting member.
 7. The method of claim 5, further comprising, sensing, by the plurality of sensors, a parameter associated with tissue positioned between first and second jaws of the surgical instrument.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising, adaptively controlling the RF energy delivered to the end effector based on the parameter sensed by the plurality of sensors.
 9. A method implemented by a surgical instrument comprising a control circuit, a multi-level flexible electrode, the multi-level flexible electrode comprises first, second, and third insulative layers, the multi-level flexible electrode further comprises at least one therapeutic electrode and at least two sensing electrodes, the at least one therapeutic electrode positioned between the first and second insulative layers, wherein the at least one therapeutic electrode is couplable to a source of radiofrequency (RF) energy, the at least two sensing electrodes positioned between the second and third insulative layers, the method comprising: contacting tissue by the at least one therapeutic electrode and the at least two sensing electrodes; delivering RF energy to the contacted tissue by the at least one therapeutic electrode; sensing, by the at least two sensing electrodes, a parameter associated with tissue positioned between first and second jaws of the surgical instrument; controlling, by the control circuit, RF energy delivered to the at least one therapeutic electrode based on the sensed parameter; applying a tissue treatment, by the at least one therapeutic electrode, to the tissue grasped between the first jaw and the second jaw; and receiving, by control circuit, sensor signals indicative of application of the tissue treatment to the tissue; and applying, by a marking assembly, a distinct marking to the tissue unique to the tissue treatment application; wherein the distinct marking distinguishes the tissue treatment application from other tissue treatment applications.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising sensing, by the at least two sensing electrodes, impedance of the tissue positioned between the first and second jaws of the surgical instrument; electrical continuity of the tissue; or a temperature transition point in the tissue; or a combination thereof. 